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 Sunan an-Nasa'i, which contains 5,768 hadiths across 52 books. It is hadith number 1830 in the Book of The Book of Funerals.

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

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#1829

#1830

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#1831

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #1830

Q: What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 1830 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Funerals), narrated by It was narrated that Umm Salamah said:, states: ""I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'When you see the dead, say something good, for the angels say Amin to whatever you say; When Abu Salamah died, I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what should I say?'…"

The Book of Funerals

Sahih

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

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي شَقِيقٌ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ إِذَا حَضَرْتُمُ الْمَرِيضَ فَقُولُوا خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ يُؤَمِّنُونَ عَلَى مَا تَقُولُونَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا مَاتَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ أَقُولُ قَالَ ‏"‏ قُولِي اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ وَأَعْقِبْنِي مِنْهُ عُقْبَى حَسَنَةً ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَأَعْقَبَنِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنْهُ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏

"I heard the Messenger of Allah say: 'When you see the dead, say something good, for the angels say Amin to whatever you say; When Abu Salamah died, I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what should I say?' He said: 'Say" Allahummaghfirlanaa wa lahu wa a 'qibni minhu 'uqbai hasanah (O Allah, forgive us and him, and compensate me well for this loss.)"' Then Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, compensated me with Muhammad."

Narrated by It was narrated that Umm Salamah said:

Context

In this hadith, Umm Salamah narrates a teaching from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) regarding the etiquette of speaking to the deceased. He advised that when visiting the sick or after someone has died, one should speak positively, as the angels affirm these good words. After the death of her husband, Umm Salamah sought guidance from the Prophet (ﷺ) on what to say, illustrating the importance of supplication and remembrance in times of loss.

Modern Application

This principle can be applied today by encouraging individuals to speak kindly and positively about those who have passed away. It serves as a reminder to focus on the good memories and to pray for the deceased, fostering a sense of peace and closure for the grieving.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Funeral Rites and Treatment of the Dead because it emphasizes the importance of respectful speech and supplication for the deceased.

Funeral Rites Treatment of the Dead