"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever follows a funeral and offers the funeral prayer then leaves, will have one Qirat reward. And whoever follows it and offers the funeral prayer then stays until the burial is completed will have two Qirat of reward, both of which are greater than Uhud."
Hadith Text & Context
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever follows a funeral and offers the funeral prayer then leaves, will have one Qirat reward. And whoever follows it and offers the funeral prayer then stays until the burial is completed will have two Qirat of reward, both of which are greater than Uhud." (Sunan an-Nasa'i 1997)
This noble hadith from The Book of Funerals in Sunan an-Nasa'i emphasizes the immense spiritual merit in accompanying the deceased from prayer to burial.
Commentary on the Qirat Reward
The term "Qirat" refers to a massive measure of reward, likened to the great mountain of Uhud near Medina. Scholars explain that one Qirat is equivalent to the size of Mount Uhud, making two Qirat an unimaginably great reward from Allah's boundless mercy.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani comments that this comparison demonstrates how acts appearing small in worldly terms carry immense weight in the Hereafter when performed with sincere intention.
Spiritual Significance of Full Accompaniment
The distinction between one and two Qirat teaches us the virtue of completing acts of worship and kindness. Staying until burial completion demonstrates greater compassion, patience, and commitment to fulfilling the rights of the deceased Muslim.
Al-Nawawi explains that this increased reward reflects the additional effort, time, and emotional investment required to witness the final rites through completion, providing comfort to the deceased and their family.
Practical Implementation
Scholars derive from this that Muslims should strive to accompany funeral processions fully when possible. The reward applies to both men and women, though women should maintain proper Islamic decorum.
This hadith encourages community solidarity in times of grief and reminds us of death's reality, inspiring preparation for the Hereafter through righteous deeds.