What is the translation/meaning of the following:
فزجر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يقبر الرجل بالليل حتى يصلى عليه
Answer
This Hadith is regarding a Sahabi who passed away and was enshrouded with a sheet that was not large enough to cover his body. He was buried at night. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) delivered a khutbah the next day, rebuked them for burying him at night resulting in him being unable to lead the Janazah Salah.
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 943)
Translation of the part in question
Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) reprimanded them that a person be buried at night, until he (Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) performs the Janazah.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has preferred this translation.
(Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1340, Fathul Mulhim, Hadith: 2155)
‘Allamah Nawawi (rahimahullah) says, the word ‘يصلّى’ is read with a fathah on the Lam, i.e. ‘يُصَلَّى’. The translation in this case would be, ‘Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) reprimanded them that a person be buried at night, so that [a large group of people can be present for the Janazah during the day. At night only a few people would attend the Janazah Salah].
(Sahih Muslim with Al Minhaj, Hadith: 2182)
Note: Kindly contact a reputable Mufti/Darul Ifta for a Fiqh ruling on this issue.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar