My Child’s Comfort

Sayyidah Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the beloved daughter of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), passed away in the eighth year after Hijrah. Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions, “When Zainab (radhiyallahu ‘anha) passed away, we emerged with Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (to attend to her burial) and saw that he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was extremely grieved and sad. (Such was his grief) that we did not speak to him until we arrived at the grave. When we reached the grave, we found that it was still being dug. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) therefore sat for some time, speaking to himself and glancing at the sky, while we sat around him. When the grave was ready, Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) descended into it and I saw his grief intensify.   When he had completed burying her and emerged from the grave, his blessed face was radiating relief and happiness. We therefore asked, ‘O Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! We saw the extent of your grief and hence were unable to even speak to you. We thereafter saw that you were suddenly very happy. What was the matter?’ He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, ‘I had remembered the narrowness and grief of the grave and I thought about Zainab and her weakness. This thought grieved me. I therefore made du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala to grant her ease from the constraints and grief of the grave. Allah Ta‘ala accepted my du‘aa and granted her ease’.” (Majma’uz Zawaa’id, vol. 3, pg. 166)   We are generally concerned and ensure that our children are not only comfortable in this worldly life, but that they enjoy the very best that we can provide. More important than this, however, is that we show concern and do our utmost to ensure that they are comfortable in the grave. The grave is the first stage in the journey to the Hereafter. If our children are successful and comfortable in this stage, they will most likely be successful in the stages to come.