The Book of Prayer - Funerals

Author: Sahih Muslim | Hadith Reference: Sahih Muslim 930

Hadith Text

"The dead is punished because of the lamentation of the living."

Commentary

This narration indicates that excessive wailing and loud lamentation over the deceased can cause distress to the departed soul. The punishment mentioned refers to spiritual discomfort and anguish experienced by the deceased due to the improper conduct of the living.

Scholars explain that this applies when the deceased had instructed their family against such practices during their lifetime, or when the lamentation involves expressions contrary to Islamic teachings, such as questioning Divine decree. The prohibition is specifically against loud, excessive wailing (niyāḥah) that demonstrates impatience with Allah's decree, not against natural tears of grief.

This teaching emphasizes the importance of patience (ṣabr) and acceptance of Allah's will, while cautioning against actions that may harm the spiritual state of both the living and the deceased.