What is Sahih Muslim 2053 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book of Prayer - Funerals), narrated by Umm 'Atiyya reported:, states: "We were forbidden to follow the bier, but it was not made absolute on us."

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih Muslim, which contains 7,459 hadiths across 57 books. It is hadith number 2053 in the Book of The Book of Prayer - Funerals.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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Sahih Muslim

#2054

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Sahih Muslim #2053

The Book of Prayer - Funerals

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُلَيَّةَ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَيُّوبُ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِيرِينَ، قَالَ قَالَتْ أُمُّ عَطِيَّةَ كُنَّا نُنْهَى عَنِ اتِّبَاعِ الْجَنَائِزِ وَلَمْ يُعْزَمْ عَلَيْنَا ‏.‏

We were forbidden to follow the bier, but it was not made absolute on us.

Narrated by Umm 'Atiyya reported:

Context

In this hadith, Umm 'Atiyya shares that while there was a prohibition against following funerals, it was not enforced strictly. This reflects the balance between guidance and understanding in Islamic teachings, allowing for personal discretion in matters of mourning and respect for the deceased.

Modern Application

Today, this principle can be applied in how we approach grief and mourning. While there may be cultural or religious guidelines, individuals should feel empowered to navigate their own expressions of grief in ways that feel right for them, fostering a compassionate community.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Funeral Rites and Treatment of the Dead because it addresses the guidelines surrounding mourning practices and the flexibility allowed in expressing grief within Islamic teachings.

Funeral Rites Treatment of the Dead