Question

Please provide a brief commentary of the following Hadith:

“When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would finish the burial of the deceased, he would stay by the grave and say, ‘Seek forgiveness for your brother and beg steadfastness for him as he is now being questioned.’”

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 3213; Declared authentic by Allamah Nawawi; Al-Adhkar, Hadith: 480)

Answer

This Hadith illustrates what should be done after burying the deceased. One should stay a while longer (after the body has been buried) and make sincere du’a that Allah Ta’ala forgive the deceased of all his (or her) sins, keep the deceased steadfast (on Iman), and inspire him to answer the questions posed to him (by the angels). This Hadith also signifies the importance of du’a and the benefit it holds, especially for those who have passed away.

(Mirqat, Hadith: 133 and Al-Futhuhatur Rabbaniyyah, vol. 4, pg. 193)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar