What is the authenticity of the hadith: “No night is harder for the deceased than the first night”?
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Our brother asks and says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Is this report authentic? And is it permissible for a Muslim to pray it for the deceased, or not? Please guide us. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: This hadith is not authentic, it has no basis, and it is not permissible to rely on it. However, supplicating for the deceased on the first night and on all nights is required. Supplicating for forgiveness and mercy, all of this is required. As for this hadith mentioned by the questioner, it has no basis, and one does not pray for the deceased. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Riyad as-Salihin 1383 So if his children, or his relatives, or his Muslim brothers supplicate for him, that is good. Or if they give charity on his behalf, that is good. But it is not specific to the first night; it is at all times.
Charity for the deceased at any time benefits the deceased, and supplication for forgiveness and mercy, if it is from a Muslim, benefits him from his Muslim brothers and his relatives. As for specifying the first night with something, there is no basis for that.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
No night is harder for the deceased than the first night, so show mercy to your deceased with charity. Whoever does not find [the means] should pray two rak'ahs, reciting in each rak'ah the opening of the Book once, the Verse of the Throne, and the prayer upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and also reciting Surat al-Ikhlas eleven times.
لا يأتي على الميت أشد من الليلة الأولى فارحموا أمواتكم بالصدقة، فمن لم يجد فليصل ركعتين يقرأ في كل ركعة فاتحة الكتاب مرة، وآية الكرسي والصلاة على النبي ﷺ وأيضًا يقرأ سورة الإخلاص إحدى عشرة مرةAnswer: This hadith is not authentic, it has no basis, and it is not permissible to rely on it. However, supplicating for the deceased on the first night and on all nights is required. Supplicating for forgiveness and mercy, all of this is required. As for this hadith mentioned by the questioner, it has no basis, and one does not pray for the deceased. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).
إذا مات ابن آدم انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث: صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو لهCharity for the deceased at any time benefits the deceased, and supplication for forgiveness and mercy, if it is from a Muslim, benefits him from his Muslim brothers and his relatives. As for specifying the first night with something, there is no basis for that.
The presenter: May Allah reward you.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.