It is called nadb (lamentation), as though this bereaved person were summoning the deceased to appear by means of a particle specifically used for lamentation. As Ibn Mālik says in the Alfiyyah (1): “And wā is for the one who is lamented.”

His statement, “and wailing”: this is when a person weeps and laments in a tone resembling the cooing of doves, for this indicates that the bereaved person is discontented with Allah’s decree and predestination.

For this reason, a severe warning has been related concerning whoever does this. The Prophet ﷺ said: “If the wailing woman does not repent before her death, she will be raised on the Day of Resurrection wearing a garment of tar and a coat of scabs.” (2)

The wailing woman is mentioned specifically because wailing is generally found among women due to their weakness. Otherwise, men are the same as women if they wail over the dead.

His statement, “and tearing one’s garment”: tearing one’s garment is prohibited, as some bereaved people do. They tear their clothes either from below or from above, indicating that they are unable to bear this calamity with patience.

His statement, “and slapping the cheek”: that is, slapping the cheek is prohibited. It is when the bereaved person slaps his own cheek, for some people, overwhelmed by their affliction, begin striking themselves: the right cheek, then the left, then the right, then the left, and so on.

Likewise, if he strikes somewhere other than the cheek—such as slapping his head or striking his head against a wall, and the like—all of this is prohibited.