While we were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), one of his daughters sent to him (the Messenger) to call him and inform him that her child or her son was dying. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) told the messenger to go back and tell her that what Allah had taken belonged to Him, and to him belonged what He granted; and He has an appointed time for everything. So you (the messenger) order her to show endurance and seek reward from Allah. The messenger came back and said: She adjures him to come to her. He got up to go accompanied by Sa'd b. 'Ubada, Mu'adh b. Jabal, and I also went along with them. The child was lifted to him and his soul was feeling as restless as if it was in an old (waterskin). His (Prophet's) eyes welled up with tears. Sa'd said: What is this, Messenger of Allah? He replied: This is compassion which Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants, and God shows compassion only to those of His servants who are compassionate.
The Book of Prayer - Funerals
Sahih Muslim 923a - Commentary by Classical Scholars
Contextual Analysis
This profound narration from Sahih Muslim demonstrates the balanced Islamic perspective on death, combining theological acceptance with natural human emotion. The Prophet's initial response reflects the core Islamic belief in divine decree (qadar) - that everything belongs to Allah and returns to Him at its appointed time.
Scholarly Commentary
When the Prophet stated "what Allah had taken belonged to Him, and to him belonged what He granted," he was teaching the fundamental principle of tawhid - absolute recognition of Allah's ownership and authority over all creation. This acknowledgment is essential for developing proper sabr (patience).
The Prophet's tears demonstrate that showing emotion upon loss is not contrary to faith or patience. Scholars explain that true sabr means restraining the tongue from complaining against Allah's decree and the heart from discontent, while natural emotional expressions remain permissible and even praiseworthy.
The description of the child's soul "feeling as restless as if it was in an old waterskin" indicates the difficulty of the soul's separation from the body, a moment of trial for both the departing and those remaining.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
Scholars derive from this hadith that visiting the sick and bereaved is recommended, even for prophets and righteous people. The Prophet's compliance with his daughter's repeated request shows the importance of comforting family members in distress.
The Prophet's clarification to Sa'd establishes that compassion (rahmah) is a divine quality implanted in human hearts by Allah Himself. True believers are those who manifest this divine attribute in their dealings with creation.
This narration serves as a comprehensive guide for Muslims facing bereavement - combining firm belief in divine decree with the natural expression of human emotion, all while seeking reward through patient endurance.