Riyad as-Salihin, 934
Marthad bin 'Abdullah Al-Yazni reported:
When Malik bin Hubairah (May Allah be pleased with him) offered a funeral prayer and found a small number of participants, he would divide them into three rows and would say that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "If three rows of men offer funeral prayer over anyone, his entry into Jannah will become certain." <b>[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi]</b>.
وعن مرثد بن عبد الله اليزني قال: كان مالك بن هبيرة رضي الله عنه إذا صلى علي الجنازة ، فتقال الناس عليها، جزأهم عليها ثلاثة أجزاء، ثم قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : “من صلى عليه ثلاثة صفوف، فقد أوجب “ ((رواه أبو دواد، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Book 6, Hadith 41
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br>
1) It is recommended to increase the rows offering the funeral prayer, when people are small in number.<br>
2) The funeral prayer is a reason for the dead person’s sure entry into Paradise. This is part of Allah’s grace towards this Ummah, as He made the mutual mercy and intercession between them during their worldly life and upon their death.