Riyad as-Salihin, 256

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

A black woman (or probably a young man) used to clean the mosque. Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) missed her (or him) and asked about her (or him). He was told that she (or he) had died. He (ﷺ) said, "Why did you not inform me?" (It seemed as if) they (Companions) considered the matter insignificant. Then he (ﷺ) said, "Show me her (or his) grave." When it was shown to him, he offered (Janazah-funeral) prayer over it and said, "These graves cover those in them with darkness, and Allah illumines them for the inmates as a result of my supplication for them". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

وعنه أن امرأة سوداء كانت تقم المسجد، أو شابا، ففقدها، رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فسأل عنها أو عنه، فقالوا‏:‏ مات‏.‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ أفلا كنتم آذنتموني‏"‏ فكأنهم صغروا أمرها، أو أمره، فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏ دلوني على قبره‏"‏ فدلوه فصلى عليه، ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ إن هذه القبور مملوءة ظلمة على أهلها، وإن الله تعالى ينورها لهم بصلاتي عليهم‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ (23)

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 256

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) The believers’ value varies according to their deeds, so whoever does good is regarded as good. 2) Cleaning mosques and removing trash from them is recommended without adorning and decorating them in a way that distracts the worshipers. 3) The Hadith underlines that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not know the unseen, that is why he said: “Tell me where her grave is.” He was unaware of such tangible things that were close to him, so he was unaware of matters of the unseen with greater reason! 4) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) cared well for his Companions; he used to check on them and ask about their conditions.

Related hadiths3