The Book of Funerals - Sunan an-Nasa'i 2032

"The Messenger of Allah said: 'I forbade you to visit graves but now visit them; and I forbade you to eat the sacrificial meat after three days, but now keep it as long as you want; and I forbade you to make Nabidh in anything but a water-skin but now drink it from any kind of container, but do not drink intoxicants."'

Commentary on the Abrogation of Prohibitions

This noble hadith demonstrates the principle of abrogation (naskh) in Islamic law, where earlier rulings are replaced by later divine revelations. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly mentions three matters where initial prohibitions were later lifted by Allah's permission.

Regarding grave visitation: The initial prohibition was to distance the new Muslim community from pre-Islamic practices of excessive mourning and idolatrous customs at gravesites. Once tawheed was firmly established, visiting graves was permitted as a reminder of death and the hereafter, encouraging spiritual reflection and preparation for the afterlife.

Concerning sacrificial meat: The three-day limitation was initially prescribed to prevent waste and encourage sharing with the poor. Later, this restriction was lifted to provide flexibility and ease for the community, allowing them to preserve and consume the meat according to their needs while maintaining the spirit of charity.

Pertaining to Nabidh containers: The restriction to water-skins was initially meant to prevent fermentation that could lead to intoxication. When the community matured in understanding and self-discipline, the container restriction was lifted while maintaining the absolute prohibition of intoxicants, focusing on the substance rather than the vessel.

Legal and Spiritual Implications

This teaching illustrates the wisdom of gradual legislation in Islam, where rulings were introduced progressively according to the community's readiness. It shows Allah's mercy in removing hardships once the foundational principles were established.

The hadith also teaches us about the development of Islamic law and the importance of following the final rulings rather than abrogated ones. Scholars note that such abrogations occurred only through divine revelation, not personal opinion, demonstrating the protected nature of prophetic legislation.

Furthermore, this narration emphasizes the balance between spiritual objectives and practical considerations in Islamic law, always aiming for the ultimate benefit of the believers while maintaining the core principles of the faith.