Is There a Reward for Losing a Loved One?

Is There a Reward for Losing a Loved one?

Qutayba narrated from Ya’qub ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman narrated from ‘Amr who narrated from Sa’id al-Maqburi who narrated from Abu Hurayra, who said that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of God be upon him) said: ‘Allah the Exalted says: “There is no reward other than the Garden for My believing slave who, when a loved one is taken in death from him, then sincerely seeks Allah’s reward.”

The expression a loved one extends beyond one’s family. Under this head is also to be placed the following account narrated by Ahmad and al-Nasa’i on the authority of Qurra ibn Iyas: ‘A man once came with a son of his to the Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him), who asked him: “Do you love him?”, to which he replied that he did. When the Prophet (peace and blessings of God be upon him) subsequently missed him, he enquired, “What became of so-and-so?” and they said: “O Messenger of Allah, his son died.” And he said, “Do you not wish that you should come to the gate of the Garden and find him waiting for you?” and they asked, “O Messenger of God! Is this for him alone, or does it apply to us all?” and he replied: “To you all.” Its isnad fulfills the condition of the sound narration (sahih), and it has been declared so by Ibn Hibban and al-Hakim.”

Footnote: The place of this topic in the chapter of Raqa’iq is clear: the death of a child or a loved one softens the heart, banishes pride and exulting in dunya, and such are conditions for salvation.

-6424/18, Selections from Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani, translated by Abdal Hakim Murad, pg. 8.