21/76. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1981 — Funeral Prayer at the Grave
The Numbre of Takbirs in the Funeral Prayer
Funeral Prayer at the Grave and Four Takbirs
Sunan an-Nasai : 1981
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1981
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ بْنِ سَهْلٍ، قَالَ مَرِضَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعَوَالِي وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَحْسَنَ شَىْءٍ عِيَادَةً لِلْمَرِيضِ فَقَالَ " إِذَا مَاتَتْ فَآذِنُونِي " . فَمَاتَتْ لَيْلاً فَدَفَنُوهَا وَلَمْ يُعْلِمُوا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ سَأَلَ عَنْهَا فَقَالُوا كَرِهْنَا أَنْ نُوقِظَكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَأَتَى قَبْرَهَا فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا وَكَبَّرَ أَرْبَعًا .
Abu Umamah bin Sahl Narrated from:
A woman from among the people of Al-'Awali fell sick and the Prophet was the best in visiting the sick. He said: 'When she dies, inform me.' She died at night and they buried her without telling the Prophet. The following morning he asked about her and they said: we did not like to wake you, O Messenger of Allah.' So he went to her grave and offered the funeral prayer for her and said Takbir four times.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1981In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 164English translation : Vol. 3, Book 21, Hadith 1983
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1981
This Hadith teaches a clear point about funeral prayer at the grave. A woman from Al-Awali became sick, and the Prophet showed care by visiting the sick. He asked to be informed when she died. When she passed away at night, the people buried her without waking him because they did not want to disturb him. The next morning, he asked about her, then went to her grave and offered the funeral prayer for her. The report also mentions that he said Takbir four times. The main lesson is the care shown to a deceased Muslim and the place of Janazah prayer even after burial when the Prophet came to know later.
What we learn from this hadith
- Visiting the sick is shown as an act of care and mercy.
- The Prophet wanted to be informed about the death of the sick woman.
- Funeral prayer was offered at the grave after the burial.
- The report mentions four Takbirs in this funeral prayer.
