18/9. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1486b — Mourning Beyond Three Days
The Obligation to mourn during the 'Iddah following the death of one's husband, but it is forbidden to mourn for more than three days in other cases
Hadith About Mourning Beyond Three Days
Sahih Muslim : 1486b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1486b
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ نَافِعٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ تُوُفِّيَ حَمِيمٌ لأُمِّ حَبِيبَةَ فَدَعَتْ بِصُفْرَةٍ فَمَسَحَتْهُ بِذِرَاعَيْهَا وَقَالَتْ إِنَّمَا أَصْنَعُ هَذَا لأَنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لاَ يَحِلُّ لاِمْرَأَةٍ تُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ أَنْ تُحِدَّ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثٍ إِلاَّ عَلَى زَوْجٍ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ وَعَشْرًا " .
Zainab bint Umm Salama (Allah be pleased with her) reported that a relative of Umm Habiba (Allah he pleased with her) died. She sent for a yellow (perfume) and applied that to her forearm and said: I, am doing it, for I have heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying: It is not permissible for a woman believing in Allah and the Hereafter to mourn beyond three days except the husband (for whom she can mourn) for four months and ten days.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1486bIn-book reference : Book 18, Hadith 74USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 9, Hadith 3540
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1486b
This hadith about mourning beyond three days presents the rule in a very direct way. Zainab bint Umm Salama reports that a relative of Umm Habiba died. Umm Habiba then called for yellow perfume and put it on her forearm. She explained that she did this only because she had heard Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم say that it is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Hereafter to mourn beyond three days, except for her husband. For the husband, the period is four months and ten days. The focus is not on love being weak or grief being ignored. The text focuses on the outward act of mourning and the time limit given for it.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith sets a three-day limit for mourning someone other than a husband.
- A widow’s mourning period is stated as four months and ten days.
- Umm Habiba’s action shows care in practicing what she heard.
- The report ties this conduct to belief in Allah and the Hereafter.
