Those present and the relatives of the deceased are allowed to cry for a maximum period of three days. The Prophet (PBUH) delayed coming to visit Ja‘far’s family for three days after his death, then he came to them and said, “Do not cry for your brother after today.” Sunan Abu Dawud, vol.3, p.1165. In the previous hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah’s concerning ‘Uthmaan ibn Math‘oon she mentioned that the Prophet (PBUH) cried until tears over flowed from his eyelids. Anas ibn Maalik also reported that they went with the Prophet (PBUH) to visit Aboo Sayf, the husband of Ibraheem’s wet nurse, and the Prophet (PBUH) took Ibraaheem, cuddled him and kissed him. When they later went back to visit him, Ibraheem was breathing his last and the Prophet’s (PBUH) eyes became filled with tears. ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf asked, “Even you, O Messenger of Allaah?” The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “O son of Awf, verily it is a mercy.” His eyes again became filled with tears and he said, “Verily the eyes become filled with tears and the heart feels sorrow, but we only say that which pleases our Lord. Indeed, we are sorrowful at your parting, O Ibraaheem.” Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol.2, pp.219-20, no.390. Ibraaheem was the Prophet’s son by his Egyptian Coptic wife, Maria.