Offering Condolences and Solace

"If one experiences sorrow due to [the death of] someone, he should remember his sorrow of [losing] the Prophet (sw) for [his death] is the greatest of all sorrows."

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘If you suffer sorrow and grief about yourself, your property or children, then remind yourself of the sorrow and grief you have suffered due to the death of the Messenger of Allah; creatures have never suffered any grief as this (death of the Messenger of Allah).”’

“When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was struck, al-Hasan informed Al-Husayn, (a.s.) about it. He was in al-Mada’in (Ctesiphon) at that time. When he read the letter, he said, ‘How intense and great is this sorrow! Even though the Messenger of Allah has said that if you experience grief and sorrow, remind yourself of your sorrow and grief about me. It is very true that no sorrow and grief is more intense and greater than the sorrow and grief for him, he has certainly spoken the truth.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away they (people) heard a voice, but did not see anyone in person, saying, ‘Every soul is to experience the taste of death. You will certainly receive your reward on the Day of Judgment. Whoever is saved from the fire and is admitted in paradise, has become successful indeed.’ It also said, ‘In (the mercy of) Allah are good consequences for everyone who dies, solace for all forms of sorrow and compensation for every loss. In Allah, you must trust and in Him only place your hope. Deprived person, in reality, is one who is deprived of the rewards from Allah.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away, Jibril (the archangel) came to them when the Holy Prophet was covered with a sheet of cloth, and in the house there were Ali, Fatimah, al-Hassan and Al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam. He said, ‘Assalamu ‘Alaykum’ (you are ‘Alayhim al-Salam ), O family of the house of mercy. Every soul must experience the taste of death. You will receive your reward (from Allah) on the Day of Judgment only. Those who are saved from fire and are admitted into paradise are indeed successful. The worldly life is only a deceitful means. In Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, alone is solace for all kinds of sorrow, good consequences for everyone who dies and proper compensation for all kinds of losses. In Allah, you must trust and in Him alone you must place your hopes. A truly deprived person is one who is deprived of rewards from Allah. This is the last time for my coming to this world.’ They said, ‘We heard his voice but did not see his person.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away condolences were offered. Someone came to them and they felt his presence but did not see his person. He said, ‘Assalamu ‘Alaykum’ (you are ‘Alayhim al-Salam ), O people of the house and may Allah grant you favors and blessings. Every soul must experience the taste of death. You will receive your reward (from Allah) on the Day of Judgment only. Those who are saved from fire and are admitted into paradise are indeed successful. The worldly life is only a means of deceit. In Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, alone is solace for all kinds of sorrow, good consequences for everyone who dies and proper compensation for all kinds of losses. In Allah, you must trust and in Him alone, you must place your hopes. A truly deprived person is one who is deprived of rewards from Allah. ‘al-Salamu ‘Alaykum’ (you are ‘Alayhim al-Salam ), [O people of the house and may Allah grant you favors and blessings].”’

“He (the narrator) has narrated a similar Hadith from abu Ja’far (a.s.), with this addition. ‘I asked, who were in the house?’ He replied, ‘They were Ali, Fatimah, al-Hassan and Al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam.”’

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, when the Holy Prophet passed away, someone came to them and stood at door of the house. He offered them greeting of peace and then said, ‘O family of Muhammad, every soul must experience the taste of death. You will receive your reward (from Allah) on the Day of Judgment only. Those who are saved from fire and are admitted into paradise are indeed successful. The worldly life is only a means of deceit. In Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, alone is solace for all kinds of sorrow, good consequences for everyone who dies and proper compensation for all kinds of losses. In Allah, you must trust and assign Him alone to be the person in charge of your affairs; and with His support for you alone, you must in grief and sorrow, agree. A truly affected person is one who is deprived of the rewards from Allah. Assalamu ‘Alaykum (you are ‘Alayhim al-Salam ) and may Allah grant you favors and blessings.’ No one saw him. Someone in the family said, ‘This is an angel from heaven. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has sent him to you to offer you condolences.’ Someone else said, ‘He was al-Khadhiru who came to offer you condolences on the death of your Prophet.’”