Question

Regarding your answer on ‘The earth and heaven weep when a Believer passes away‘, some narrations mention that the earth weeps for forty days.

Please mention this narration and the authenticity.

 

Answer

Hereunder are narrations which specifically mention forty days:

1) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) said, “It used to be said, ‘The earth weeps for a Believer for forty days.'”

2) Mujahid (rahimahullah) said, “When a Believer passes away, the earth and heaven weep for him for forty days…”

A similar narration has also been reported as the statement of Sa’id ibn Jubayr (rahimahullah).

 

References: Az Zuhd War Raqaiq of Imam ‘Abdullah ibn Al Mubarak: 338, As Sunanul Kubra of Imam Nasai: 11840, Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 35930, Tafsir Tabari, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Ad Durrul Manthur, Surah: Dukhan, Verse: 29.

 

These narrations are corroborated and suitable to quote as reported.

(Refer: Footnotes of Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah on Musannaf: 35930)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Death Kitabuz Zuhd Moulana Suhail Motala Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah Nasai Shaykh Muhammad 'Awwamah Statements and Actions of Sahabah Statements of the pious Tafsir ibn Kathir Tafsir Tabari