English Translation

Narrated to us by Musa bin Isma'il, narrated to us by Dawud bin Abi al-Furat, narrated to us by Abdullah bin Buraidah, from Abu al-Aswad, who stated, 'I came to Madinah al-Munawwarah when an epidemic had struck, and people were dying rapidly. I sat with Hadrat Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him). A funeral passed and people praised the deceased. Hadrat Umar (may Allah be well pleased with him) stated: It has become obligatory. Then another funeral passed and people praised the deceased. He stated: It has become obligatory. Then a third passed and people spoke ill of the deceased. He stated: It has become obligatory. I submitted, "O Commander of the Faithful! What has become obligatory?" He stated, "I said what the Noble Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) stated: Any Muslim for whom four people testify to his goodness, Allah Almighty will admit him to Paradise." We submitted, "And three?" He said, "And three." I submitted, "And two?" He said, "And two." Then we did not ask about one.'