Speak only good about the deceased

📖Sunan al-Nasā’ī 1935
Aisha reported: A person who passed away was mentioned in an evil way in front of the Prophet ﷺ, so he said, “Do not mention your deceased unless it is good.”

This hadith teaches us that when someone dies, we should remember them with goodness and not bring up their faults. Speaking ill of the deceased may harm them further, because Allah can hold back their good deeds if people keep recalling the wrongs they did. For example, if you say, “This person cheated me, this person wronged me,” you are keeping their sins alive, while Islam encourages you to forgive them. Forgiving wipes away enmity, benefits you on the Day of Judgment, and allows their case to be left to Allah alone.

• Remembering does not mean inventing lies about the dead, but even recalling their real mistakes – such as theft or harm- may cause their deeds to be diminished. That’s why the Prophet ﷺ advised us to forgive, think good, and leave their matter to Allah.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 24:22
And let not those of virtue among you and wealth swear not to give to their relatives and the needy and the emigrants for the cause of Allah, and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

📖Quran 41:34
Good and evil cannot be equal. Repel evil with what is better, and you will see that the one you had enmity with will become as a devoted friend.

📖Quran 64:14
But if you pardon, overlook, and forgive, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

The wisdom is clear: just as you hope Allah will forgive your sins, you should forgive others – even after their death. Speaking only good of the deceased is an act of mercy that benefits both them and you.