44/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2400a — Prayer Over Abdullah ibn Ubayy
The Virtues Of 'Umar (RA)
Hadith About Funeral Prayer and Hypocrisy
Sahih Muslim : 2400a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2400a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ لَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ ابْنُ سَلُولَ جَاءَ ابْنُهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَأَلَهُ أَنْ يُعْطِيَهُ قَمِيصَهُ أَنْ يُكَفِّنَ فِيهِ أَبَاهُ فَأَعْطَاهُ ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِيُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَامَ عُمَرُ فَأَخَذَ بِثَوْبِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ وَقَدْ نَهَاكَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّمَا خَيَّرَنِيَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ { اسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لاَ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِنْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً} وَسَأَزِيدُ عَلَى سَبْعِينَ " . قَالَ إِنَّهُ مُنَافِقٌ . فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { وَلاَ تُصَلِّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ مَاتَ أَبَدًا وَلاَ تَقُمْ عَلَى قَبْرِهِ} .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
When 'Abdullah b. Ubayy b. Salul (the hypocrite) died, his son Abdullah b. Abdullah came to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon -him) and asked him to give his shirt which should be used for the coffin of his father. He gave that to him.Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stood up to say prayer over him Thereupon I Umar caught hold of the clothe of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: Allah's Messenger, are you going to offer prayer, whereas Allah has forbidden to offer prayer for him, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Allah has given me a choice saying: Ask forgiveness for them or you may not ask for them; even if you ask for them seventy times, I will make an addition to the seventy.He was a hypocrite and Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said prayer over him that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed the verse:" And never pray over any one of them that has died and never should you stand by his grave" (ix. 84).
[1] At-Tawbah 9:80. [2] At-Tawbah 9:84.Reference : Sahih Muslim 2400aIn-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 37USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 5904
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2400a
This Hadith about funeral prayer and hypocrisy describes the death of Abdullah b. Ubayy b. Salul. His son asked Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم for his shirt to use as a shroud, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave it. He also stood to pray over him. Umar objected and reminded him that the man was a hypocrite. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered with the verse about asking forgiveness, saying he had been given a choice. Then Allah revealed the verse: never pray over any of them who has died and do not stand by his grave. The report shows the Prophet's mercy, Umar's concern, and the later revealed limit mentioned in the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم showed generosity by giving his shirt for the burial.
- Umar spoke from concern about what he understood regarding the man.
- The hadith records revelation that set a clear limit after this event.
- The text connects funeral prayer, forgiveness, and the issue of hypocrisy.
