Death & Bereavement

مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ مَسَّهُ مَا دَامَ حَارّاً قَالَ فَلَا غُسْلَ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِذَا بَرَدَ ثُمَّ مَسَّهُ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ أَدْخَلَهُ الْقَبْرَ قَالَ لَا غُسْلَ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّمَا يَمَسُّ الثِّيَابَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One who gives Ghusl (bath) to a dead person must himself also take a Ghusl (bath). I then asked, ‘What is one required to do after touching a dead body when it is still warm? He (the Imam) said, ‘Ghusl (bath) is not obligatory for him in such a case. One must take Ghusl (bath) after t

قُلْتُ الرَّجُلُ يُغَمِّضُ عَيْنَ الْمَيِّتِ عَلَيْهِ غُسْلٌ قَالَ إِذَا مَسَّهُ بِحَرَارَتِهِ فَلَا وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا مَسَّهُ بَعْدَ مَا يَبْرُدُ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ قُلْتُ فَالَّذِي يُغَسِّلُهُ يَغْتَسِلُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَيُغَسِّلُهُ ثُمَّ يُكَفِّنُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ قَالَ يُغَسِّلُهُ ثُمَّ يَغْسِلُ يَدَهُ مِنَ الْعَاتِقِ ثُمَّ يُلْبِسُهُ أَكْفَانَهُ ثُمَّ يَغْتَسِلُ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ حَمَلَهُ عَلَيْهِ غُسْلٌ قَال

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a man who closes the eyes of a deceased if he must take Ghusl (bath) because of touching a dead body. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he does it when the dead body’s natural temperature is not lost, Ghusl (bath) is not obligatory on him

يُغَسِّلُ الَّذِي غَسَّلَ الْمَيِّتَ وَ إِنْ قَبَّلَ إِنْسَانٌ الْمَيِّتَ وَ هُوَ حَارٌّ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ غُسْلٌ وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا مَسَّهُ وَ قَبَّلَهُ وَ قَدْ بَرَدَ فَعَلَيْهِ الْغُسْلُ- وَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يَمَسَّهُ بَعْدَ الْغُسْلِ وَ يُقَبِّلَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Those who give Ghusl (bath) to a deceased, themselves must take Ghusl (bath). If one kisses a deceased when the dead body is still warm, one is not required to take Ghusl (bath); but if he touches the dead body or kisses it when it has become cold, must take Ghusl (bath) and

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَمَسُّ الْمَيْتَ أَ يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ مِنْهَا قَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْإِنْسَانِ وَحْدَهُ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُصِيبُ ثَوْبُهُ جَسَدَ الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ يَغْسِلُ مَا أَصَابَ الثَّوْبَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who touches a dead body: if it is proper for him to take Ghusl (bath) for it. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is only necessary if it is the dead body of a human being.’ I then asked about a man whose clothes become polluted because of contact with a dead body. He

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَنْهَى عَنِ الْغُسْلِ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْقَبْرَ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, prohibit taking Ghusl (bath) because of entering the grave.”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَبَّلَ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ مَظْعُونٍ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah kissed ‘Uthman ibn Maz’un after his death.”

إِنْ كَانَ غُسِّلَ الْمَيِّتُ فَلَا تَغْسِلْ مَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَكَ مِنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يُغَسَّلْ فَاغْسِلْ مَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَكَ مِنْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if a man’s clothes come in contact with a dead body after the deceased is given Ghusl (bath), he is not required to wash them. If they become polluted because of such contact before the dead body is given Ghusl (bath) he must wash them.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ يَغْتَسِلُ مَنْ غَسَّلَ الْمَيِّتَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَنْ أَدْخَلَهُ الْقَبْرَ قَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا يَمَسُّ الثِّيَابَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if one who gives Ghusl (bath) to a dead person is required to take Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he is required to take Ghusl (bath).’ I then asked if one who places the deceased in the grave is required to take Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he is not required to

دَخَلَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ- أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ لِمَ يُغَسَّلُ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لَا أُخْبِرُكَ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَلَقِيَ بَعْضَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَجَبُ لَكُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ وَ أَطَعْتُمُوهُ وَ لَوْ دَعَاكُمْ إِلَى عِبَادَتِهِ لَأَجَبْتُمُوهُ وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ibrahim ibn ‘Ishaq from Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Daylamiy from his father who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once ‘Abd Allah ibn Qays al-Masir visited abu Ja’far (a.s.), and said, ‘Tell me why a dead body is given Ghusl (bath) because o

سُئِلَ مَا بَالُ الْمَيِّتِ‌[2] يُمْنِي قَالَ النُّطْفَةُ الَّتِي خُلِقَ مِنْهَا يَرْمِي بِهَا.

‘It is the seed from which he is created that he throws out.’”

قَالَ: إِنَّ الْمَخْلُوقَ لَا يَمُوتُ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ مِنْهُ النُّطْفَةُ الَّتِي خُلِقَ مِنْهَا مِنْ فِيهِ أَوْ مِنْ عَيْنِهِ‌[3].

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said that a creature does not die until the seed from which it is created comes out through his mouth or his eye.”

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ غَسَّلَ مُؤْمِناً فَقَالَ إِذَا قَلَّبَهُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا بَدَنُ عَبْدِكَ الْمُؤْمِنِ قَدْ أَخْرَجْتَ رُوحَهُ مِنْهُ وَ فَرَّقْتَ بَيْنَهُمَا فَعَفْوَكَ عَفْوَكَ‌[1] غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ذُنُوبَ سَنَةٍ إِلَّا الْكَبَائِرَ.

Tf any believer, when washing the dead body of a believer says, “O Allah, this is the body of Your believing servant from which its spirit has come out and is just separated, please grant him forgiveness, and please grant him forgiveness.’” Allah then forgives his one year’s sins except the major ones.”

مَنْ غَسَّلَ مَيِّتاً فَأَدَّى فِيهِ الْأَمَانَةَ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ يُؤَدِّي فِيهِ الْأَمَانَةَ قَالَ لَا يُحَدِّثُ بِمَا يَرَى‌[2].

Tf one washes a dead body and keeps the trust, Allah grants him forgiveness.’ He was asked, ‘What is the trust?’ The Imam replied, ‘Does not make public whatever he sees.’”

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُغَسِّلُ مُؤْمِناً وَ يَقُولُ وَ هُوَ يُغَسِّلُهُ رَبِّ عَفْوَكَ عَفْوَكَ إِلَّا عَفَا اللَّهُ عَنْهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Any believing person who when washing the dead body of a believing person says, “O Allah grant him forgiveness,” Allah then grants forgiveness to him also.’”

كَانَ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهَ بِهِ مُوسَى قَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا لِمَنْ غَسَّلَ الْمَوْتَى فَقَالَ أَغْسِلُهُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَمَا وَلَدَتْهُ أُمُّهُ.

‘One of the matters that Moses spoke about before Allah was this, “O Allah, what is the reward for one who washes a dead body?” The answer was, “I wash his sins as if his mother has just given him birth.’””

مَنْ كَفَّنَ مُؤْمِناً كَانَ كَمَنْ ضَمِنَ كِسْوَتَهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘One who provides shrouding (materials) for a believing person is like one whose dressing (needs) is guaranteed up to the Day of Judgment.’”

مَنْ حَفَرَ لِمَيِّتٍ قَبْراً كَانَ كَمَنْ بَوَّأَهُ بَيْتاً مُوَافِقاً إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘One who prepares the grave for a believing person is like one who provides him a desirable dwelling up to the Day of Judgment.”’

رَوَى أَصْحَابُنَا أَنَّ حَدَّ الْقَبْرِ إِلَى التَّرْقُوَةِ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى الثَّدْيِ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ قَامَةِ الرَّجُلِ حَتَّى يُمَدَّ الثَّوْبُ عَلَى رَأْسِ مَنْ فِي الْقَبْرِ وَ أَمَّا اللَّحْدُ فَبِقَدْرِ مَا يُمْكِنُ فِيهِ الْجُلُوسُ قَالَ وَ لَمَّا حَضَرَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْوَفَاةُ أُغْمِيَ عَلَيْهِ فَبَقِيَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ رَفَعَ عَنْهُ الثَّوْبَ ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَو

the depth of the grave is up to one’s collarbones. Certain ones have said that it is up to one’s chest and still others say that it is up to the whole height of a man, so one can pull the sheet over the head of those in the grave. The depth of Lahad is as high as one can sit straight inside. He (the narrator) has said

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ حِينَ احْتُضِرَ إِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَاحْفِرُوا لِي وَ شُقُّوا لِي شَقّاً فَإِنْ قِيلَ لَكُمْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لُحِدَ لَهُ فَقَدْ صَدَقُوا[1].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when about to leave this world said, ‘When I die dig a grave for me as a straight cut in the ground, as opposed to digging straight and then digging horizontally a passage to accommodate the body which is called Lahad. If people say that the Messenger of Allah was place in Lahad, accept it as true.’

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَحَدَ لَهُ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Abu Talhah al-Ansariy prepared Lahad for the Messenger of Allah.’”

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص نَهَى أَنْ يُعَمَّقَ الْقَبْرُ فَوْقَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَذْرُعٍ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy prophet, prohibited digging the grave deeper than three hands (yards).”

يَنْبَغِي لِأَوْلِيَاءِ الْمَيِّتِ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُؤْذِنُوا إِخْوَانَ الْمَيِّتِ بِمَوْتِهِ فَيَشْهَدُونَ جَنَازَتَهُ وَ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لَهُ فَيُكْتَبُ لَهُمُ الْأَجْرُ وَ يُكْتَبُ‌[3] لِلْمَيِّتِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ وَ يَكْتَسِبُ هُوَ الْأَجْرَ فِيهِمْ وَ فِيمَا اكْتَسَبَ لِمَيِّتِهِمْ مِنَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The guardians of a deceased should inform the brothers (in belief) of the deceased about his death so they may attend his funeral services, perform prayer and appeal on his behalf for forgiveness (from Allah). Thus, a reward for them is written down as well as forgiveness. Also the pe

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْجِنَازَةِ يُؤْذَنُ بِهَا النَّاسُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Should people be informed to attend the funeral of a deceased person?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, people should be informed.’”

إِنَّ الْجِنَازَةَ يُؤْذَنُ بِهَا النَّاسُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that people should be informed to attend the funeral of a deceased person.”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا رَأَى جَنَازَةً قَدْ أَقْبَلَتْ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَجْعَلْنِي مِنَ السَّوَادِ الْمُخْتَرَمِ‌[1].

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), on seeing a dead body brought near, would say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah who has not brought my life to an end.’”

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا رَأَى جَنَازَةً قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَجْعَلْنِي مِنَ السَّوَادِ الْمُخْتَرَمِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), when seeing a dead person would say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah who has not placed me among the masses whose lives have already ended.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ جَنَازَةً أَوْ رَآهَا فَقَالَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ هذا ما وَعَدَنَا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ صَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ زِدْنَا إِيماناً وَ تَسْلِيماً الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي تَعَزَّزَ بِالْقُدْرَةِ وَ قَهَرَ الْعِبَادَ بِالْمَوْتِ لَمْ يَبْقَ فِي السَّمَاءِ مَلَكٌ إِلَّا بَكَى رَحْمَةً لِصَوْتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one finds a dead body brought from the opposite direction or just sees one and says, “Allah is great. This is what Allah and His Messenger have told us will happen to us and Allah and His Messenger have indeed spoken the truth. O Lord, increase

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ السُّنَّةُ فِي حَمْلِ الْجَنَازَةِ أَنْ تَسْتَقْبِلَ جَانِبَ السَّرِيرِ بِشِقِّكَ الْأَيْمَنِ فَتَلْزَمَ الْأَيْسَرَ بِكَتِفِكَ الْأَيْمَنِ‌[1] ثُمَّ تَمُرَّ عَلَيْهِ إِلَى الْجَانِبِ الْآخَرِ وَ تَدُورَ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ إِلَى الْجَانِبِ الثَّالِثِ مِنَ السَّرِيرِ ثُمَّ تَمُرَّ عَلَيْهِ إِلَى الْجَانِبِ الرَّابِعِ مِمَّا يَلِي يَسَارَكَ‌[2].

“Once, I heard the Imam saying, ’It is of the Sunnah (noble tradition) to lift up the front corner of the coffin on one’s right shoulder. Thereafter one should move back to lift up the second corner of the coffin, then move to the other side of the coffin from the back side to lift up the third corner and lastly move (

السُّنَّةُ أَنْ يُحْمَلَ السَّرِيرُ مِنْ جَوَانِبِهِ الْأَرْبَعِ وَ مَا كَانَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ مِنْ حَمْلٍ فَهُوَ تَطَوُّعٌ.

‘It is of the Sunnah (noble tradition) to lift up all the four corners of the coffin (in a manner mentioned in the Hadith above). Other than this is extra and voluntary.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع عَنْ تَرْبِيعِ الْجَنَازَةِ قَالَ إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي مَوْضِعِ تَقِيَّةٍ فَابْدَأْ بِالْيَدِ الْيُمْنَى ثُمَّ بِالرِّجْلِ الْيُمْنَى ثُمَّ ارْجِعْ مِنْ مَكَانِكَ إِلَى مَيَامِنِ الْمَيِّتِ لَا تَمُرَّ خَلْفَ رِجْلِهِ الْبَتَّةَ حَتَّى تَسْتَقْبِلَ الْجَنَازَةَ فَتَأْخُذَ يَدَهُ الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ ارْجِعْ مِنْ مَكَانِكَ وَ لَا تَمُرَّ خَلْفَ الْجَنَازَةِ الْبَتَّةَ حَ

"I asked Abu Ibrahim (as) about the method of carrying a bier (funeral procession). He said: 'If you are in a situation of taqiyya, start with the right hand, then the right foot, then return from your place to the right side of the deceased. Do not pass behind his feet at all until you face the bier again and take his

تَبْدَأُ فِي حَمْلِ السَّرِيرِ مِنْ جَانِبِهِ الْأَيْمَنِ ثُمَّ تَمُرُّ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ إِلَى الْجَانِبِ الْآخَرِ ثُمَّ تَمُرُّ حَتَّى تَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْمُقَدَّمِ كَذَلِكَ دَوَرَانُ الرَّحَى عَلَيْهِ.[1]

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Begin to lift up the coffin from the right side, then go around by the backside of the coffin to the other side then turn to the front like grinding stone (counterclockwise) . ’ ”

الْمَشْيُ خَلْفَ الْجَنَازَةِ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْمَشْيِ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Walking behind the coffin of the deceased is more virtuous than walking in front of it.’”

امْشِ أَمَامَ جَنَازَةِ الْمُسْلِمِ الْعَارِفِ وَ لَا تَمْشِ أَمَامَ جَنَازَةِ الْجَاحِدِ فَإِنَّ أَمَامَ جَنَازَةِ الْمُسْلِمِ مَلَائِكَةً يُسْرِعُونَ بِهِ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ إِنَّ أَمَامَ جَنَازَةِ الْكَافِرِ مَلَائِكَةً يُسْرِعُونَ بِهِ إِلَى النَّارِ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Walk in front of the coffin of a knowledgeable Muslim but do not walk in front of the coffin of a rejecter (of belief). In front of the coffin of a Muslim, angels who hasten to paradise walk, but in front of the coffin of an unbeliever, angels walk who hasten with him (the unbeliever)

مَشَى النَّبِيُّ ص خَلْفَ جَنَازَةٍ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لَكَ تَمْشِي خَلْفَهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ أَرَاهُمْ يَمْشُونَ أَمَامَهَا وَ نَحْنُ تَبَعٌ لَهُمْ‌[3].

‘The Holy Prophet once was walking behind the coffin of a deceased person and he was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, why do you walk behind the coffin?” He replied, “I see angels walk in front of the coffin and we just follow them.’””

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَشْيِ مَعَ الْجَنَازَةِ فَقَالَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا وَ عَنْ يَمِينِهَا وَ عَنْ شِمَالِهَا وَ خَلْفِهَا.

“I asked him [one of the two Imam] (abu Ja‘far or abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about walking in the funeral procession. He said, ‘Walk in front or on the right or left side or behind it.’”

امْشِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ الْجَنَازَةِ وَ خَلْفَهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘(In a funeral procession) walk in front or behind (the coffin).”’

مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَمْشِيَ مَمْشَى الْكِرَامِ الْكَاتِبِينَ فَلْيَمْشِ بِجَنْبَيِ السَّرِيرِ[1].

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one wants to walk (in a funeral procession) like the honorable angels, then walk on either side of the coffin.’”

سُئِلَ كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ إِذَا خَرَجْتُ مَعَ الْجَنَازَةِ أَمْشِي أَمَامَهَا أَوْ خَلْفَهَا أَوْ عَنْ يَمِينِهَا أَوْ عَنْ شِمَالِهَا فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مُخَالِفاً فَلَا تَمْشِ أَمَامَهُ فَإِنَّ مَلَائِكَةَ الْعَذَابِ يَسْتَقْبِلُونَهُ بِأَلْوَانِ الْعَذَابِ.

“Someone asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘How should I walk in a funeral procession?’ The Imam replied, ‘Walk in front, or behind or on the right or left side of the coffin.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Do not walk in front if he is someone opposed to our belief; the angels of torment will come his way with all kinds of tor

رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَوْماً خَلْفَ جَنَازَةٍ رُكْبَاناً فَقَالَ أَ مَا اسْتَحْيَا هَؤُلَاءِ أَنْ يَتْبَعُوا صَاحِبَهُمْ رُكْبَاناً وَ قَدْ أَسْلَمُوهُ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْحَالِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah once saw a group of people riding behind the coffin in a funeral procession. He said, ‘Why do these people not feel ashamed of following their companion while they have abandoned him in such condition?’”

مَاتَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي جَنَازَتِهِ يَمْشِي فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِهِ أَ لَا تَرْكَبُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي لَأَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَرْكَبَ وَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَمْشُونَ‌[1] وَ أَبَى أَنْ يَرْكَبَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man from Ansar (new Muslims of al-Madinah) of the companions of the Messenger of Allah died. The Messenger of Allah came out and joined the funeral procession walking. Someone from his companions said, “Why do you not ride, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “I do not like to ride w

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي جِنَازَةٍ لِبَعْضِ قَرَابَتِهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ صَلَّى عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ قَالَ وَلِيُّهُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع ارْجِعْ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مَأْجُوراً وَ لَا تَعَنَّى‌[2] لِأَنَّكَ تَضْعُفُ عَنِ الْمَشْيِ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَدْ أَذِنَ لَكَ فِي الرُّجُوعِ فَارْجِعْ وَ لِيَ حَاجَةٌ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّمَا هُوَ فَضْلٌ وَ أَجْرٌ فَبِقَد

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.), in a funeral procession of one of his relatives. When he completed the prayer for a deceased, the guardian of the deceased said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), ’Please return home. May Allah grant you the reward. Please do not become tired. You are not strong enough to walk. 5 I

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَمِيرَانِ وَ لَيْسَا بِأَمِيرَيْنِ لَيْسَ لِمَنْ تَبِعَ جَنَازَةً أَنْ يَرْجِعَ حَتَّى يُدْفَنَ أَوْ يُؤْذَنَ لَهُ وَ رَجُلٌ يَحُجُّ مَعَ امْرَأَةٍ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ أَنْ يَنْفِرَ حَتَّى تَقْضِيَ نُسُكَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Two kinds of commanders have no command. One is he who joins a funeral procession. He has no command to return home before the burial is complete, or he is given permission to return. The other is a man who performs Hajj along with a woman. He has

حَضَرَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع جَنَازَةَ رَجُلٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ وَ أَنَا مَعَهُ وَ كَانَ فِيهَا عَطَاءٌ[3] فَصَرَخَتْ صَارِخَةٌ فَقَالَ عَطَاءٌ لَتَسْكُتِنَّ أَوْ لَنَرْجِعَنَّ قَالَ فَلَمْ تَسْكُتْ فَرَجَعَ عَطَاءٌ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ‌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ عَطَاءً قَدْ رَجَعَ قَالَ وَ لِمَ قُلْتُ صَرَخَتْ هَذِهِ الصَّارِخَةُ فَقَالَ لَهَا لَتَسْكُتِنَّ أَوْ لَنَرْجِعَنَّ فَلَمْ تَسْكُتْ فَرَجَعَ فَقَالَ امْضِ بِنَا فَلَوْ أَن

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.), joined a funeral procession for a man from Quraysh while I was with him. ‘ Ata’ (ibn Rabah) was also there. A woman began to cry loudly. ‘ Ata’ said, ‘You should calm down or I must leave.’ She did not calm down and ‘Ata’ returned. I then said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), that ’Ata’ has returned.’ He

إِذَا أُدْخِلَ الْمُؤْمِنُ قَبْرَهُ نُودِيَ أَلَا إِنَّ أَوَّلَ حِبَائِكَ الْجَنَّةُ وَ حِبَاءَ مَنْ تَبِعَكَ الْمَغْفِرَةُ.[2]

“Abu la’ far (a.s.), has said, ‘When a believing person is placed in the grave, it is announced then: “Paradise is the first gift for you and forgiveness for those who have escorted you.’””

مَنْ شَيَّعَ جَنَازَةَ مُؤْمِنٍ حَتَّى يُدْفَنَ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ مَلَكاً مِنَ الْمُشَيِّعِينَ يُشَيِّعُونَهُ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لَهُ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ إِلَى الْمَوْقِفِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, for one’s escorting the dead body of a believing person until it (the dead body) is buried, assigns seventy thousand angels of the escorting ones to escort him (escorting person) and ask forgiveness for him from the time he is

أَوَّلُ مَا يُتْحَفُ بِهِ الْمُؤْمِنُ يُغْفَرُ لِمَنْ تَبِعَ جَنَازَتَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the first gift for a deceased believing person is forgiveness for those who escort him to his grave.”

مَنْ شَيَّعَ مَيِّتاً حَتَّى يُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ كَانَ لَهُ قِيرَاطٌ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ وَ مَنْ بَلَغَ مَعَهُ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ حَتَّى يُدْفَنَ كَانَ لَهُ قِيرَاطَانِ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ وَ الْقِيرَاطُ مِثْلُ جَبَلِ أُحُدٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘If one escorts a deceased until the Salah (prayer) for a deceased is performed, his reward is one qirat and one who escorts the deceased up to the grave and until burial is complete, his reward is two qirat; and one qirat is of the size of the mountain of ‘Uhud.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ مَشَى مَعَ جَنَازَةٍ حَتَّى يُصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ رَجَعَ كَانَ لَهُ قِيرَاطٌ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ فَإِذَا مَشَى مَعَهَا حَتَّى تُدْفَنَ كَانَ لَهُ قِيرَاطَانِ وَ الْقِيرَاطُ مِثْلُ جَبَلِ أُحُدٍ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘If one walks in the procession for the burial of a deceased until Salah (prayer) for a deceased is complete and then returns back, his reward is one qirat. If one walks until burial is complete, his reward is two qirat and one qirat is of the size of the mountain of ’Uhud.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ تَبِعَ جَنَازَةَ مُسْلِمٍ أُعْطِيَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَرْبَعَ شَفَاعَاتٍ وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ شَيْئاً إِلَّا وَ قَالَ الْمَلَكُ وَ لَكَ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘If one escorts the dead body of a Muslim, on the Day of Judgment, he will be given four kinds of intercession opportunities. Whatever he says (in response), the angel says, “Likewise is for you also.’””

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَنْ تَبِعَ جَنَازَةً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَرْبَعَ قَرَارِيطَ قِيرَاطٌ بِاتِّبَاعِهِ وَ قِيرَاطٌ لِلصَّلَاةِ عَلَيْهَا وَ قِيرَاطٌ بِالانْتِظَارِ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْ دَفْنِهَا وَ قِيرَاطٌ لِلتَّعْزِيَةِ.

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘If one escorts the body of a deceased, his reward is four qirat, one for escorting, one for Salah (prayer) for a deceased, one for waiting until burial is complete and one for offering condolences.’”