What book of Hadith contains the Hadith Quoted by Zakariyah Kandahlawi that dead person will first see the Holy face of the Prophet PBUH?

Question

Maulana Zakariyah Kandahlawi writes in his article, The Beard of a Muslim and its Importance: "when he (the dead person) is placed in his grave he will first be shown the countenance of Rasulullah (PBUH)." What book of Ahadith tells us that a dead person will be shown the Holy face of Rasulullah sallalahu alaihe wa-sallam? I am not aware of any such hadith. Thank you.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai · Accepted Answer

The Hadith which Hadhrat Shaykh Zakariyya is referring to in his book, 'The beard of a Muslim and its importance' can be found in the following books of Hadith: Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasaa-ee, Ahmad, Mishkaat.

In the Arabic version of the same book, which is approved by the world renown Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdul-Aziz ibn Baaz. The translator mentions, 'The seeing of the holy Countenance is one of the two views of the eminent scholars of Hadith.' (Sharh Qastalaani)

The second view of the scholars of Hadith is that all the veils between himself (the deceased) and the beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) will be lifted, whereby the person will see Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Therefore, the word 'this' which is used in all these Ahaadith is not referring to a person who is absent. (Fataawa Mahmoodiya vol.12 pg.104)

Hereunder are the extracts of the various Ahaadith which you can refer to: 1. In the Hadith of Barraa ibn Azi (Radhiallaahu Anhu), these words have been used, 'Who is this (man) who was sent to you.' (Ahmad / Mishkaat) 2. Hadith of Hadhrat Anas ibn Maalik (Radhiallaahu Anhu), 'What do you say concerning this Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).' (Bukhari; Muslim) 3. In Abu Dawud, Nasaa-ee and Ahmad, the following words are used, 'What do you say concerning this man.' (Targheeb vol. 4 pg.364)

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

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