#1096: On Not Informing A Mother Of The Death Of Her Daughter Due To Her Old Age
Salam alaikum ya admin
Please a quick one. My question is; our Granma of about 100+ of age just lost her daughter(about 2weeks now) and she’s yet to know. The family decided not to tell her so as not to cause her any pain or some type of shock. I just wanted to know if this ok in Islam keeping such news away from her considering her age and this is fine because we don’t want any harm for through this news?
ANSWER:
Wa Alaykum Salam Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuh.
Alhamdulillah.
May Allah be merciful on the dead and grant Her Sakinah and Waqaar in the Grave. May Allah illumine her grave with His light and grant her the highest of degrees in Jannah. Amin. May He also give the family the fortitude to bear this loss. Barakallahu fikum.
As for not telling her mother due to the fear of how she might take it and the impacts of that on her health, this is purely a matter of judgment and reasoning.
And what is apparent in the Shar’iah is its permissibility if this is done within a temporary period; if it is expected that sudden announcement of such dead may lead to something not good such as you have explained in your question. Something of this nature has transpired in the Era of the Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam when the son of Abu Talhah passed away, as was recorded by both Imaam Al-Bukhaari and Muslim, from Anas bn Maalik radiyallahu anhu. His wife, Ummu Sulaym delayed the news of the death of his son from him for a night until the next morning when he was fresh and sound then she told him.
It is mentioned that he told the Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam of this but the Rasul salallahu alayhi wasallam did not rebuke the action of Umm Sulaym.
However, what is also apparent is that keeping this news away from her, must he a temporary measure. If it is permanent then it is not permissible due to what it contains of hindering her from praying for her daughter, and earning the rewards of patience and reliance upon Allah.
In summary, what you have mentioned is permissible provided it is a temporary measure. And Allah knows best.
Barakallahu fikum.
📚 IslāmNode
