Answer: In response to your question, let us refer to the authentic narrations from the Prophet ﷺ.
In the hadith of Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib, which is narrated by Abu Dawood in his Sunan and authenticated by scholars such as Sheikh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani in Sahih al-Targhib wa al-Tarheeb and Imam al-Wadi'i in Kitab al-Sahih al-Musnad, the Prophet ﷺ visited the grave of a man from the Ansar who had passed away. The Prophet ﷺ sat by the grave, and his companions sat around him. He then spoke about what happens to the deceased in the grave, explaining the stages and conditions they go through. (Abu Dawud: 4754)
This hadith shows that the Prophet ﷺ did educate his companions about matters related to death and the grave.
Similarly, in another authentic hadith narrated by Imam Abu Dawood and authenticated by scholars like Imam al-Nawawi and Sheikh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, the Prophet ﷺ instructed his companions after a burial, saying:
“Ask forgiveness for your brother and pray for his steadfastness, for he is now being questioned.” (Abu Dawud: 3221)
From these narrations, we understand that the Prophet ﷺ did provide guidance and reminders to his companions during burial occasions. However, these instances were specific and purposeful. The Prophet ﷺ either:
- Taught a ruling: Educating them about a specific Islamic ruling related to burial or the afterlife.
- Provided advice: Advising them to perform certain actions, such as seeking forgiveness for the deceased.
- Shared information about the unseen: Informing them about what happens to the deceased in the grave.
- Guided them to a belief: Directing them to strengthen their faith in matters of the unseen.
However, the Prophet ﷺ did not make it a habit to deliver lengthy sermons or lectures at the graveyard. His reminders were brief, relevant, and tied to the specific occasion. The early generations of Muslims, including the rightly guided caliphs like Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them), also did not turn graveyard visits into regular platforms for lectures or reminders.
Therefore, while it is permissible to provide brief reminders or teachings at the graveyard—such as explaining how to bury the deceased, what happens in the grave, or how to pray the Janazah—it should not become a habitual practice to deliver lengthy, heart-softening lectures or sermons at every burial. This was not the practice of the Prophet ﷺ or his companions.
In summary:
- Permissible: Brief reminders or teachings related to burial, the afterlife, or specific rulings.
- Better not done: Turning the graveyard into a regular platform for lengthy lectures or sermons.
I hope this answers your question.
Anything I have said that is correct is from Allah, and anything incorrect is from myself and Shaytan, and Allah and His Messenger ﷺ be free from any errors.
And knowledge is with Allah.
— Answered by Ustadh Abdulrahman Hassan
