" Peace be upon the inhabitants of the city (i. e. graveyard)." In the hadith transmitted by Zuhair (the words are):" Peace be upon you, the inhabitants of the city, among the believers, and Muslims, and God willing we shall join you. I beg of Allah peace for us and for you."
The Book of Prayer - Funerals
Sahih Muslim 975
Commentary on the Funeral Salutation
This narration from Sahih Muslim contains the prescribed manner of offering salutations when visiting graveyards. The phrase "Peace be upon the inhabitants of the city" refers to the dwellers of the graves, acknowledging that the cemetery is a city of its own where the deceased reside.
The extended version transmitted by Zuhair provides greater clarity and spiritual depth. The addition "among the believers, and Muslims" specifies that this salutation is particularly directed toward those who died in faith, affirming our brotherhood with them in Islam that transcends physical death.
The statement "God willing we shall join you" serves as a powerful reminder of mortality and the inevitable nature of death, fostering humility and preparation for the Hereafter. It expresses the believer's acceptance of divine decree while maintaining hope in Allah's mercy.
The concluding supplication "I beg of Allah peace for us and for you" demonstrates the living's continued connection with the deceased through prayer. This comprehensive salutation combines remembrance of death, affirmation of faith, acknowledgment of brotherhood, and supplication for mutual peace - encompassing the proper spiritual attitude a Muslim should maintain toward death and the deceased.