I heard it from 'Auf b. Malik that the Prophet (ﷺ) said prayer on the dead body, and I remembered his prayer:" O Allah! forgive him, have mercy upon him, give him peace and absolve him. Receive him with honour and make his grave spacious; wash him with water, snow and hail. Cleanse him from faults as Thou wouldst cleanse a white garment from impurity. Requite him with an abode more excellent than his abode, with a family better than his family, and with a mate better than his mate. Admit him to the Garden, and protect him from the torment of the grave and the torment of the Fire." ('Auf bin Malik) said: I earnestly desired that I were this dead body.
The Book of Prayer - Funerals
Sahih Muslim 963 a, 963 b - Commentary by Classical Scholars
Comprehensive Nature of the Funeral Prayer
This narration demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the Prophet's supplication for the deceased, encompassing all aspects of the afterlife journey. The prayer begins with seeking forgiveness and mercy, which are the fundamental needs of every soul departing this world.
The request for "peace and absolution" indicates the complete cleansing from sins, while "receiving with honor" reflects the dignified treatment the believer deserves from the angels.
Spiritual Purification Imagery
The imagery of washing with "water, snow and hail" symbolizes multiple levels of purification. Water represents basic cleansing, snow indicates intense whiteness and purity, while hail suggests thorough and complete removal of impurities.
The comparison to cleansing a white garment from impurity draws from the Quranic imagery (Surah Al-Muddathir) and emphasizes the complete removal of spiritual stains.
Grave and Afterlife Provisions
The request for a "spacious grave" refers to the expansion of the grave for the believer, making it a garden from the gardens of Paradise as mentioned in other authentic narrations.
The supplication for "better abode, family and mate" indicates the superior rewards in Paradise compared to worldly possessions, fulfilling the promise of Allah to replace what believers leave behind with something better.
Ultimate Protection and Reward
The concluding part seeks admission to Paradise while seeking protection from the two great fears: the torment of the grave and the torment of Hellfire. This comprehensive protection covers the intermediate state (barzakh) and the final destination.
Auf bin Malik's final remark expresses the profound spiritual value of receiving such comprehensive supplications, demonstrating how the funeral prayer serves as a tremendous gift for the deceased from the living community.