this situation, as noted above, is to ask forgiveness for him and ask Allah to grant him steadfastness.

As for what should be said to the deceased’s family when offering condolences, a Muslim should console his brother with words he believes will comfort him, dispel his grief, and help him accept Allah’s decree and patiently endure the loss. If he recalls any words authentically reported from the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—for this occasion, he should say them. Otherwise, he may say whatever wholesome and kind words come easily to him, provided they achieve the intended purpose and do not contravene Islamic law.

A Muslim is rewarded for consoling his fellow Muslims and standing by them in their hardship and loss. The Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “No believer consoles his brother over a calamity without Allah—Glorious and Exalted—clothing him in robes of honor on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by Ibn Mājah and others.1

Among the words of condolence reported in the Sunnah is the narration of al-Bukhārī and Muslim from Usāma ibn Zayd—may Allah be pleased with them both—who said: “One of the Prophet’s daughters sent word to him: ‘A son of mine is at the point of death, so come to us.’ He sent back his greetings and said: ‘To Allah belongs what He takes, and to Him belongs what He gives. Everything with Him has an appointed term, so let her remain patient and seek Allah’s reward.’”2 Al-Nawawī—may Allah have mercy on him—said: “This hadith contains one of the formulas with which condolences may be offered.”

The hadith of Abū Salama relates that when he died, his eyes remained open, so the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—closed them and then said: “When the soul is taken, the eyes follow it.” Some of his family cried out, whereupon he said: “Do not pray for anything but good for yourselves, for the angels say ‘Amen’ to whatever you say.” He then said: “O Allah, forgive Abū Salama, raise his rank among the rightly guided, and watch over his descendants among