In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Expressing Opinions About the Deceased (In the Light of Hadith)

It is narrated from Anas رضي الله عنه that a funeral passed by the Prophet ﷺ. People spoke well of the deceased (many of the Companions رضي الله عنهم affirmed that, in their view, he loved Allah Ta‘ala and His Messenger ﷺ). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said three times: “It has become obligatory.”

Then another funeral passed by, and harsh words were spoken about the deceased (many of the Companions رضي الله عنهم affirmed that he was a bad man in matters of religion). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ again said three times: “It has become obligatory.”

‘Umar رضي الله عنه said: “May my parents be sacrificed for you! One funeral passed and it was praised, and you said ‘It has become obligatory.’ Then another passed, about whom harsh words were spoken, and you again said ‘It has become obligatory’?”

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “For the one whom you praised, Paradise has become obligatory; and for the one whom you spoke harshly about, the Fire has become obligatory.” He further said: “The angels are Allah’s witnesses in the heavens, and you are Allah’s witnesses on the earth.” (Sahih Muslim)

Do Not Speak Ill of the Dead

It is narrated from ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Do not speak ill of those who have died, for they have already reached what they sent forward (the recompense of their deeds).” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Believers Are Allah’s Witnesses on Earth

It is narrated from Abu al-Aswad al-Dili رضي الله عنه:

I came to Madinah while a plague was spreading and many people were dying. I sat with ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه. A funeral passed by, and people spoke well of the deceased. ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said: “It has become obligatory.”

I asked: “O Commander of the Believers, what has become obligatory?”

He said: “I have spoken just as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ spoke: ‘If four Muslims testify to the goodness of a Muslim, Allah will admit him into Paradise.’”

I asked: “And if three testify?”
He said: “Even the testimony of three is accepted.”

We asked: “And if two testify?”
He said: “Even the testimony of two is accepted.”

Then we did not ask about one. (Sahih al-Bukhari)

At minimum, the good testimony of two truthful people of knowledge and Taqwa regarding a deceased person becomes a cause for Paradise for him—provided they were his neighbors or among those who truly knew him well. Even if they were not neighbors, they must at least be individuals who were well acquainted with the deceased.