Chapter: Saying the takbir over the deceased

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave the people news of the death of Negus on the day he died, and he took them out to the place of prayer and observed four takbirs.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave us the news of the death of Negus, the ruler of Abyssinia, on the day when he died, and he said (to us): Beg pardon for your brother. Ibn Shihab said that Sa'id b. Musayyib had told that Abu Huraira had narrated to him that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) drew them up in a row in a place of prayer, and offered prayer and recited four takbirs for him.

This hadith is narrated through another chain of transmitters.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered prayer for Ashama, the Negus, and recited four takbirs.

There died today the pious servant of Allah, Ashama. So he stood up and led us in (funeral prayer) over him.

A brother of yours has died, so stand up and offer prayer over him. So we stood up and drew ourselves up into two rows.

A brother of yours has died; so stand up and offer prayer for him, i. e. Negus. And in the hadith transmitted by Zubair (the words are):" Your brother."