Among the matters in respect of which we gave the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) the pledge not to disobey him in any goodness was that we should not scratch our faces, bewail, tear our clothes up, or dishevel our hair (in grief)

Arabic text

عن أسيد بن أبي أسيد التابعي، عن امرأة من المبايعات، قالت: كان فيما أخذ علينا رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في المعروف الذي أخذ علينا أن لا نعصيه فيه: أن لا نَخْمِشَ وجهًا، ولا نَدْعُوَ وَيْلًا، ولا نَشُقَّ جَيْبًا، وأن لا نَنْشُرَ شَعْرًا.

Translation

Usayd ibn Abu Usayd At-Tābi'i reported that one of the women who gave the pledge to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Among the matters in respect of which we gave the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) the pledge not to disobey him in any goodness was that we should not scratch our faces, bewail, tear our clothes up, or dishevel our hair (in grief)."

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to take a vow from the female companions when giving him the pledge of allegiance, that they should not disobey him. He forbade them, for instance, from scratching their faces or slapping their cheeks; from wailing which is prohibited; from tearing their clothes; and from disheveling and tearing up their hair. All these acts are forbidden to be done when calamities occur.

Topics

• The Creed
• Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles
• Belief in the Divine Decree and Fate
• Issues of Divine Decree and Fate
• Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship
• Funerals
• Consolation