Question : A question was asked regarding [the validity of] instructing the dead after burial [on what to say to God].

Fatwa in Brief: Instructing the dead [a practice known as “talqin”] on what to say [to God] after they have been buried is a reprehensible innovation; it is not mentioned [in the authoritative sources].

The Permanent Committee, 8/340

Response:

There is no harm in addressing a dead adult immediately after his/her burial. However, one should not address a boy [child] after burying him, as he is not legally obligated to perform any religious duties. Instructing the dead after burial is generally recommended (mustahab) according to the Shafi‘is and Hanbalis, but is legally disliked (i.e. deemed makruh) by Imam Malik.

Commentary:

Al-Nawawi mentioned that addressing the dead after burial is recommended. This opinion is also transmitted from groups of the Shafi‘is. Nawawi said:

Instructing the dead after burial is mustahab, someone would sit next to his head and say: “O such and such, son of such and such [name of the mother]! O slave of God, son of the slave (amma) of God, Remember the state in which you left this world. In this [state] you witnessed that there is no God but God, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, that Heaven and Hell are real, that there is no doubt that the Last Day is coming, and that God raises people from their graves. You also witness that you are pleased with God as your Lord, Islam as your religion, Muhammad (upon him be peace) as your Prophet, with the Qur’an as your book, with the Ka‘ba as your qibla, and with the believers as your brothers.

Shaykh Nasr added the following to the above: “My God is God; there is no God but Him, on Him I depend, and He is the Lord of the Heavenly Throne (‘arsh)”. This form of instruction (talqin) is recommended for the deceased. A hadith concerning this addition – albeit containing a weak link in the chain of transmission – is included by Abu al-Qasim al-Tubrani in his Mu‘jam. This hadith is attributed to Sa‘id ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Azdi, who said that he witnessed Abu Umama (r.a), in his last days, declare:

When I die, do unto me what the Prophet (upon him be peace) ordered when he said ‘When one of you dies, and the earth has settled over him, let one of you stand at the head of his grave and say: ‘O such and such, son of such and such [name of the mother]’. For, he [the deceased] will hear him even if he does not reply. Then let him say a second time: ‘O such and such, son of such and such [name of the mother]!’ He [the deceased] will sit up [in his grave]. Then let him say: ‘O such and such, son of such and such [name of the mother]’. At this, the other one will say: ‘Instruct me, and may God grant you mercy!’ Though you may not notice it. Then let him say: ‘Remember the state in which you left this world. When you witnessed that there is no God but God, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger; that you are pleased with God as your Lord, Islam as your religion, Muhammad as your Prophet, and the Qur’an as your book’. At this, Munkar and Nakir [the angels questioning believers in the grave] hold each other back, saying: ‘Let us go; there is no need for us to tarry here, for he has been instructed in his argument’. A man said: “O Messenger of God, what if he [the instructor] does not know his [the deceased] mother’s name?” He [the Messenger, peace be upon him] replied: “Then let him say: ‘Son of Hawwa [Eve]. O such and such, son of Eve’”.

Al-Nawawi said: Although this hadith is weak, we are comfortable with [relying upon] it. Modern scholars and others agree that it is lenient, and in keeping with the meaning of other hadiths promoting virtues, and instilling a love [of what is correct] and fear of [sin] in a Muslim. This hadith is supported by other hadith, such as that which says “ask confirmation [from God] from your brother”, and the advice of ‘Amr ibn al-‘As, and both hadiths are sound.

Indeed, the people of al-Sham have been doing this [addressing the dead] since the earliest era in Islam, and continue to do so until this day. Addressing the dead immediately after his/her burial applies when the deceased is adult and sane (mukallaf). However, Muslims do not address the boy after he dies [or the girl], as no legal duties are incumbent upon him [or her]. [1] Ibn Taymiyya also mentioned that the idea of instructing the dead is derived from the Companions and the Followers. According to him, there are three opinions in this matter: that it is recommended (mustahabb); that it is disliked (makruh); and that it is neutral (mubah).[2]

And God knows best.

In the Fatwa Centre under the Supervision of Dr. ‘Abdullah al-Faqih:

It is agreed upon that addressing the dead after burial is not obligatory. There is no evidence to suggest that it was practiced in the era of the days of the Prophet (upon him be peace), or of his Caliphs.

Nevertheless, some of the companions, such as Abu Imamah and Wa’ila ibn al-Asqa‘, did practice this. Imam Ahmad [Ibn Hanbal] permits this; while some of his school and that of al-Shafi‘i consider the same practice recommended (mustahab). Others, however, describe it as an innovation, and as legally disapproved. There are three opinions regarding instructing the deceased after burial: that it is recommended (mustahab); that it is disliked (makruh); and that it is neutral (mubah). And the last of these [that it is neither recommended nor disliked] is the fairest opinion.[3]

And God knows best.

Dr. ‘Ali Mansur