Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 161

Supplication for the Deceased after his Burial

باب الدعاء للميت بعد دفنه والقعود عند قبره ساعة للدعاء له والاستغفار والقراءة

Once a person is buried, the living are not finished with them. This short chapter turns our attention to du'a for the deceased, especially the plea for tathbit, firmness, at the moment the questioning of the grave begins. Our brother or sister has gone ahead, but our words can still reach them as mercy.

Read the two reports together and a gentle picture forms. The Prophet (peace be upon him) modelled standing and praying for the one just buried, and a Companion asked for the same to be done for him, trusting that the nearness and supplication of the believers would steady him before the angels. It is a reminder that the bonds of faith outlast the grave.

Hadith 946

Abu `Amr (also called Abu `Abdullah and also Abu Laila) from `Uthman bin `Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن أبي عمرو -وقيل‏:‏ أبو عبد الله، وقيل‏:‏ أبو ليلى- عثمان بن عفان رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلمى الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم الله عليه وسلم إذا فرغ من دفن الميت وقف عليه، وقال‏:‏ ‏ "‏استغفروا لأخيكم وسلوا له التثبيت، فإنه الآن يسأل‏" ‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه أبو داود‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

After the burial of a dead man, the Prophet (ﷺ) would stand by the grave and say, "Ask Allah to forgive your brother and supplicate for him for steadfastness because he is being questioned (about his deeds) now." [Abu Dawud].

In plain words

After a burial the Prophet would stand at the grave and tell the people to ask Allah to forgive the deceased and to keep them firm, because they are now being questioned.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 946 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 53

Hadith 947

'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with him) used to say:

وعن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ إذا دفنتمونى، فأقيموا حول قبري قدر ما تنحر جذور، ويقسم لحمها حت أستأنس بكم، وأعلم ماذا أراجع به رسل ربي‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏.‏ وقد سبق بطوله‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ وقال الشافعي رحمه الله‏:‏ ويستحب أن يقرأ عنده شيء من القرآن، وإن ختموا القرآن عنده كان حسناً‏.‏

"When you have buried me, keep standing near my grave till (for the time it takes to) a camel is slaughtered and its meat is distributed, so that I may feel your nearness and know what to reply to the angels sent by my Rubb." [Muslim].

In plain words

A Companion asked that people stay a while near his grave after burial so he could feel their presence and find comfort as he faced the angels' questioning, showing how the believers' supplication supports the deceased.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 947 In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 54