Allah’s Witnesses on Earth (Ahadith 1147 – 1148)

Bismillah.

Volume 2, Book 23, Number 447:

Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab :

When ‘Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul died, Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) was called upon to offer his funeral prayer. When Allah’s Apostle stood up to offer the prayer, I got up quickly and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Are you going to pray for Ibn Ubai and he said so and so on such and such occasions?” And started mentioning all that he had said. Allah’s Apostle smiled and said, “O ‘Umar! Go away from me.” When I talked too much he said, “I have been given the choice and so I have chosen (to offer the prayer). Had I known that he would be forgiven by asking for Allah’s forgiveness for more than seventy times, surely I would have done so.” (‘Umar added): Allah’s Apostle offered his funeral prayer and returned and after a short while the two verses of Surat Bara’ were revealed: i.e. “And never (O Muhammad) pray for any of them who dies . . . (to the end of the verse) rebellion (9.84)” — (‘Umar added), “Later I astonished at my daring before Allah’s Apostle on that day. And Allah and His Apostle know better.”

Hadith no. 1146 (above) is a repeat. Read it here.

Allah’s Witnesses on Earth..

Volume 2, Book 23, Number 448:

Narrated Anas bin Malik, :

A funeral procession passed and the people praised the deceased. The Prophet said, “It has been affirmed to him.” Then another funeral procession passed and the people spoke badly of the deceased. The Prophet said, “It has been affirmed to him”. ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab asked (Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) ), “What has been affirmed?” He replied, “You praised this, so Paradise has been affirmed to him; and you spoke badly of this, so Hell has been affirmed to him. You people are Allah’s witnesses on earth.”

Volume 2, Book 23, Number 449:

Narrated Abu Al-Aswad:

I came to Medina when an epidemic had broken out. While I was sitting with ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab a funeral procession passed by and the people praised the deceased. ‘Umar said, “It has been affirmed to him.” And another funeral procession passed by and the people praised the deceased. ‘Umar said, “It has been affirmed to him.” A third (funeral procession) passed by and the people spoke badly of the deceased. He said, “It has been affirmed to him.” I (Abu Al-Aswad) asked, “O chief of the believers! What has been affirmed?” He replied, “I said the same as the Prophet had said, that is: if four persons testify the piety of a Muslim, Allah will grant him Paradise.” We asked, “If three persons testify his piety?” He (the Prophet) replied, “Even three.” Then we asked, “If two?” He replied, “Even two.” We did not ask him regarding one witness.

Isn’t that scary? Turns out that it does matter what people have to say about you. Do good deeds, be good to others, so that people have only good things to say about you after your death. Imagine if just two people spoke bad about you. *shivers at the thought* O_O

Look at it another way. If someone you know dies, and he/she was a good person, you should mention about their goodness among people. Your witness will be important in their case with Allah. But be careful about exaggeration. Speak only the truth.
Say the person wasn’t good. Say he was a sinner or had bad relationships with people. Would you talk bad about them? Would you want to play a role in their entering Hell? It’s better to leave the matter to Allah. So mum’s the word.

Wassalam.