68/49. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5342 — Mourning Conduct
A mourning lady can wear clothes of 'Asb.
Hadith About Mourning Conduct for Women
Sahih Bukhari : 5342
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5342
حَدَّثَنَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ دُكَيْنٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ السَّلاَمِ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ حَفْصَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّ عَطِيَّةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يَحِلُّ لاِمْرَأَةٍ تُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ أَنْ تُحِدَّ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثٍ، إِلاَّ عَلَى زَوْجٍ، فَإِنَّهَا لاَ تَكْتَحِلُ وَلاَ تَلْبَسُ ثَوْبًا مَصْبُوغًا إِلاَّ ثَوْبَ عَصْبٍ ".
Umm 'Atiyyah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is not lawful for a lady who believes in Allah and the Last Day, to mourn for more than three days for a dead person, except for her husband, in which case she should neither put kohl in her eyes, nor perfume herself, nor wear dyed clothes, except a garment of 'Asb"
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5342In-book reference : Book 68, Hadith 87USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 63, Hadith 255
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5342
This narration gives a clear hadith about mourning conduct. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم says it is not lawful for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn for more than three days for a dead person, except for her husband. The text then mentions that, in that case, she should not use kohl, wear dyed clothing, or perfume herself, except for a garment of 'Asb. The wording links the rule to faith in Allah and the Last Day, which gives the matter a serious tone. The explanation should stay with the text: the hadith sets a limit for mourning and names a few visible signs of restraint during the husband's mourning case.
What we learn from this hadith
- A believing woman is told not to mourn beyond three days except for her husband.
- The hadith names kohl, perfume, and dyed clothes as things to avoid in that case.
- The exception for a garment of 'Asb is clearly mentioned.
- The rule is tied to belief in Allah and the Last Day.
