حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، وَيَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ شَرِيكٍ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ أَبِي نَمِرٍ - عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم - كُلَّمَا كَانَ لَيْلَتُهَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم - يَخْرُجُ مِنْ آخِرِ اللَّيْلِ إِلَى الْبَقِيعِ فَيَقُولُ ‏"‏ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ دَارَ قَوْمٍ مُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَتَاكُمْ مَا تُوعَدُونَ غَدًا مُؤَجَّلُونَ وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لاَحِقُونَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لأَهْلِ بَقِيعِ الْغَرْقَدِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَلَمْ يُقِمْ قُتَيْبَةُ قَوْلَهُ ‏"‏ وَأَتَاكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
Translation
Muhammad b. Qais said (to the people)

Should I not narrate to you (a hadith of the Holy Prophet) on my authority and on the authority of my mother? We thought that he meant the mother who had given him birth. He (Muhammad b. Qais) then reported that it was 'A'isha who had narrated this: Should I not narrate to you about myself and about the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)? We said: Yes. She said: When it was my turn for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to spend the night with me, he turned his side, put on his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet, and spread the corner of his shawl on his bed and then lay down till he thought that I had gone to sleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on the shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it lightly. I covered my head, put on my veil and tightened my waist wrapper, and then went out following his steps till he reached Baqi'. He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O 'A'isha, that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He gave me a nudge on the chest which I felt, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you? She said: Whatsoever the people conceal, Allah will know it. He said: Gabriel came to me when you saw me. He called me and he concealed it from you. I responded to his call, but I too concealed it from you (for he did not come to you), as you were not fully dressed. I thought that you had gone to sleep, and I did not like to awaken you, fearing that you may be frightened. He (Gabriel) said: Your Lord has commanded you to go to the inhabitants of Baqi' (to those lying in the graves) and beg pardon for them. I said: Messenger of Allah, how should I pray for them (How should I beg forgiveness for them)? He said: Say, Peace be upon the inhabitants of this city (graveyard) from among the Believers and the Muslims, and may Allah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on, and we shall, God willing, join you.

Comment

The Book of Prayer - Funerals

Sahih Muslim 974 b

Hadith Commentary

This narration from the Mother of the Believers, 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), contains profound lessons regarding the prayer for the deceased and the subtle wisdom of the Prophet's actions. The Prophet's journey to Baqi' al-Gharqad, the cemetery of Medina, demonstrates the importance of visiting graves and supplicating for the deceased believers.

The Prophet's careful movements show his consideration for his wife's comfort and his desire not to disturb her rest. When 'A'isha followed him, it revealed her natural curiosity and deep love for the Messenger of Allah. The Prophet's question, "Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you?" teaches us about complete trust in Allah and His Messenger.

The core teaching is the specific prayer the Prophet was commanded to recite for the inhabitants of the graves: "Peace be upon the inhabitants of this city from among the Believers and the Muslims, and may Allah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on, and we shall, God willing, join you." This comprehensive supplication includes all believers, those who preceded us and those who will follow, acknowledging the inevitable reality of death and our eventual joining of the deceased.

The appearance of Gabriel to the Prophet at night demonstrates how revelation could come at any time, and the Prophet's immediate response shows his complete obedience to Allah's commands. This hadith establishes the legitimacy of visiting graves and making specific supplications for the deceased, which brings benefit to both the living and the dead.