Question Summary:
Hadeeth on Janazah

Question Detail:

Is there any authentic Hadeeth from the books of Hadeeth about:
1. The forty steps for each person to carry the Janazah?
2. When throwing the first handful one should say “Of this we created you”, and on the second one should say, “And to it shall we cause you to return, “and on the third handful one should say, “And of it we shall cause you to be resurrected a second time.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
1. The Fuqahaa (Jurists) have mentioned that is Mustahab (preferable) for one carrying the Janazah to take ten steps on each side of the Janazah.[1]
 
2. The Fuqahaa have stated that it is Mustahab for one to throw three handfuls into the grave at the head side of the deceased. One should recite the following Du’aas upon each handful[2]:
1. First handful:
منها خلقناكم
Translation: “We have created you from the Earth”
2. Second handful:
و فيها نعيدكم
Translation: “And we shall return you back to the Earth”
3. Third handful:
و منها نخرجكم تارة أخري
Translation: “And we shall resurrect you from the Earth for a second time”
When offering sand in the Qabr, one should reflect and ponder over one’s eventual ending while reciting these Du’aas. One should contemplate that just as his fellow Muslim has passed away, one day he too shall also taste death.
Hadhrat Abu Umamah al-Bahily (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that:
لما وضعت أم كلثوم بنت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في القبر قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (منها خلقنا كم، وفيها نعيدكم، ومنها تخريجكم تارة أخرى)
“When Umme Kulthoom, the daughter of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was placed in the grave, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Wa Sallam said:   "منها خلقنا كم، وفيها نعيدكم، ومنها تخريجكم تارة أخرى (Musnad Ahmed, 5/254)
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best                                       
Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.