Funeral rites in Islaam: Forbidden Actions by those present: Wailing

The Prophet (PBUH) strictly forbade wailing and screaming, or the hiring of mourners. Furthermore, he identified such practices as acts of Kufr (disbelief), because they indicate displeasure with what Allaah has decreed. Eemaan (faith) includes the belief that Allaah is the source of all good and all of His actions are wise. Proper Eemaan would never allow those who possess it to commit such acts of ignorance. Aboo Hurayrah quoted the Prophet (PBUH) as saying, “There are two practices found among people, both of which indicate Kufr: ridiculing the ancestry (of others) and wailing over the dead.” Sahih Muslim, vol.1, p.44 no. 128. ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar also reported that Hafsah cried when ‘Umar died and he said to her “Take it easy. Don’t you know that the Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) said, “Verily the dead are punished in their grave by the wailing of their family over them.” collected by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim. The dead will suffer due to the wailing of relatives in two cases : (a) When the deceased requested mourning prior to his death. (b) If the deceased knew that it was the practice of the people and he did not request that they do not do so over him. Hafsah was one of the Prophet’s wives and daughter of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, the second caliph.