A black person, a male or a female used to clean the Mosque and then died. The Prophet (p.b.u.h) did not know about it . One day the Prophet (ﷺ) remembered him and said, "What happened to that person?" The people replied, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He died." He said, "Why did you not inform me?" They said, "His story was so and so (i.e. regarded him as insignificant)." He said, "Show me his grave." He then went to his grave and offered the funeral prayer.
Hadith Commentary: The Funeral Prayer for the Mosque Cleaner
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (1337) in the Book of Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz) contains profound lessons regarding human dignity, social equality, and religious obligations.
The Status of All Believers
The Prophet's inquiry about the deceased cleaner demonstrates that every Muslim, regardless of social standing or occupation, merits attention and spiritual care. His question "What happened to that person?" establishes the inherent worth of every soul in the Islamic community.
Condemnation of Class Discrimination
When the companions explained they considered the person's story "so and so" (meaning insignificant), the Prophet's disapproval is evident. This rejects any hierarchy based on worldly status, affirming that piety alone distinguishes believers before Allah.
Obligation of Funeral Prayer
The Prophet's immediate action - visiting the grave and performing the funeral prayer - emphasizes this prayer's importance as a collective obligation (fard kifayah) for every Muslim, regardless of their earthly status. This act completed the deceased's rights upon the community.
Practical Jurisprudence
Scholars derive from this that funeral prayer may be performed at the grave if missed earlier. The hadith also teaches the importance of informing religious authorities about community members' deaths and the virtue of serving mosques.