Sunan Abu Dawud #3178

Funerals (Kitab Al-Jana'iz)
Hasan 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 مُوسَى الْبَلْخِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أُتِيَ بِدَابَّةٍ وَهُوَ مَعَ الْجَنَازَةِ فَأَبَى أَنْ يَرْكَبَهَا فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ أُتِيَ بِدَابَّةٍ فَرَكِبَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ كَانَتْ تَمْشِي فَلَمْ أَكُنْ لأَرْكَبَ وَهُمْ يَمْشُونَ فَلَمَّا ذَهَبُوا رَكِبْتُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
An animal was brought to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) while he was going with a funeral. He refused to ride on it. When the funeral was away, the animal was brought to him and he rode on it. He was asked about it. He said: The angels were on their feet. I was not to ride while they were walking. When they went away, I rode.
Narrated by Narrated Thawban:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ demonstrated humility and respect for the presence of angels during a funeral procession. He refused to ride an animal while the angels walked alongside the funeral, showing his deep respect for the sanctity of the moment. This act illustrates the importance of humility and reverence in Islamic teachings.

Modern Application

This principle can be applied today by encouraging individuals to show respect and humility in solemn situations. It serves as a reminder to honor the significance of life and death, fostering a culture of respect during funerals and memorials.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Conduct and Respectful Communication because it highlights the Prophet's ﷺ humility and respect for sacred moments, setting an example for how to conduct oneself in sensitive situations.

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ
At-Tawba (The Repentance)
2 ayahs
وَلَا عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا مَآ أَتَوْكَ لِتَحْمِلَهُمْ قُلْتَ لَآ أَجِدُ مَآ أَحْمِلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ تَوَلَّوا۟ وَّأَعْيُنُهُمْ تَفِيضُ مِنَ ٱلدَّمْعِ حَزَنًا أَلَّا يَجِدُوا۟ مَا يُنفِقُونَ
Nor [is there blame] upon those who, when they came to you that you might give them mounts, you said, "I can find nothing for you to ride upon." They turned back while their eyes overflowed with tears out of grief that they could not find something to spend [for the cause of Allah].
وَلَا تُصَلِّ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنْهُم مَّاتَ أَبَدًۭا وَلَا تَقُمْ عَلَىٰ قَبْرِهِۦٓ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ فَٰسِقُونَ
And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muhammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.
سُورَةُ عَبَسَ
Abasa (He frowned)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
The Prophet frowned and turned away
سُورَةُ الشَّمۡسِ
Ash-Shams (The Sun)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَٰهَا
And the messenger of Allah [Salih] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink."
سُورَةُ الفُرۡقَانِ
Al-Furqaan (The Criterion)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَقَالُوا۟ مَالِ هَٰذَا ٱلرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِى فِى ٱلْأَسْوَاقِ ۙ لَوْلَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكٌۭ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُۥ نَذِيرًا
And they say, "What is this messenger that eats food and walks in the markets? Why was there not sent down to him an angel so he would be with him a warner?

Common Words

70 total62 unique4 repeated
ولا3x
على3x
ما3x
ٱلله3x
ٱلذين1x
إذا1x
أتوك1x
لتحملهم1x
قلت1x
لا1x
أجد1x
أحملكم1x
عليه1x
تولوا1x
وأعينهم1x
تفيض1x
من1x
ٱلدمع1x
حزنا1x
ألا1x
Scroll to explore ayah details

Related Hadiths

About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #3178 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Funerals (Kitab Al-Jana'iz). It is graded Hasan Sahih and narrated by Narrated Thawban:.

About This Hadith