scholars hold a position, other than what al-Athram narrated, who said: I said to Abu Abd Allah: "And this that people do when the deceased is buried; a man stands and says: 'O so-and-so, son of so-and-so (20), remember what you left upon, the testimony that there is no god but Allah?'" He said: "I have not seen anyone do this except the people of al-Sham; when Abu al-Mughirah died, a person came and said that." He said: "Abu al-Mughirah used to narrate concerning it from Abu Bakr ibn Abi Maryam, from their elders, that they used to do it." And Ibn 'Ayyash [used to narrate it] (21). [Then he said regarding it] (22): "It is only that it is not established (23) that the torment of the grave [is not established]." The Qadi and Abu al-Khattab said: "That is recommended." They both narrated regarding it from Abu Umamah al-Bahili, that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: "When one of you dies, and you have leveled the soil over him, let one of you stand at the head of his grave, then say: 'O so-and-so, son of so-and-so.' For he hears (24) but does not respond. Then let him say: 'O so-and-so, son of so-and-so.' A second time, and he will sit upright. Then let him say: 'O so-and-so, son of so-and-so.' For he will say: 'Guide us, may Allah have mercy on you,' but you do not hear. Then say: 'Remember what you went out [of the world] upon, the testimony that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, and that you are content with Allah as a Lord, with Islam as a religion, with Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as a Prophet, and with the Quran as an Imam.' For Munkar and Nakir will each hold back from him and say: 'Let us depart; what would keep us sitting with this one, for he has been prompted with his proof, and Allah the Exalted will be his proof (25) instead of us.'" A man said: "O Messenger of Allah, what if he does not know his mother's name?" He said: "Then he should attribute him to Hawwa (Eve)." Extracted by Ibn Shahin, in his book "Dhikr al-Mawt" (The Remembrance of Death) with his chain of transmission (26).
(20) In [M]: "So-and-so". (21) In [M]: "He narrates it". (22) Omitted from: The original. (23) In [A] and [M]: "Is established". (24) In [M]: "He hears it". (25) In the original: "His proofs". (26) Ibn Hajar attributed it to al-Tabarani, see: Talkhis al-Habir 2/135.