[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—says in his book Riyad al-Salihin: “Chapter: People’s praise of the deceased.” People’s praise of the deceased means speaking of him with good or with evil; when someone dies, people will either commend him or criticize him according to what they know of his conduct.

The author then cited the hadith of Anas—may Allah be pleased with him—and the report of Abu al-Aswad with ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab. In the hadith of Anas, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was sitting when a funeral procession passed by; the people spoke well of its bearer and he said, “It has become obligatory.” Another procession then passed and the people spoke ill of the deceased, whereupon the Prophet said, “It has become obligatory.” ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab asked, “What has become obligatory, Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “You praised the first, so Paradise has become obligatory for him; and you spoke ill of the second, so Hellfire has become obligatory for him. You are Allah’s witnesses on earth.” As for the second man, it appears—and Allah knows best—that he was one of the hypocrites. Hypocrites were numerous in Madinah during the Prophet’s lifetime—outwardly displaying Islam while concealing disbelief. Such hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of Hell, unless they repent.

This hadith therefore proves that when the Muslims praise a deceased person, it indicates that he is among the people of Paradise, and Paradise becomes obligatory for him; and when they speak ill of him, it indicates that he is among the people of the Fire, so Hellfire becomes obligatory for him. There is no difference in this regard