Income from Eulogizing Someone to Make People Mourn

"My father said to me, ‘O Ja‘far, assign a certain amount from my so-and-so properties as endowment, so payments can be made to people who will eulogize to mourn for me in Mina for ten years.’”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah died, ‘Umm Salamah asked the Holy Prophet, for permission. She said, “The family of al-Mughirah has organized a gathering to mourn for al-Walid. Can I also attend their gathering?” The Holy Prophet granted her permission. She dressed up. She was beautiful like a fairy. When standing she released her hairs and it covered her body. She tied her khalkhal on both sides. She then eulogized her cousin before the Messenger of Allah saying: “I announce passing away of al-Walid ibn al-Walid, abu al-Walid, the young man of the family, protector of truth, with glory and rising for good manners. He was a thirst-quenching rain for years, a crystal clear brook and supplies.”’ He (the narrator) has said that the Holy Prophet did not disapprove her eulogies and did not say anything.”

“In our neighborhood there was a woman who had a slave-girl who sang eulogies. She came to my father and said, ‘O Uncle, you know about my means of living from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, and then it is from this slave-girl’s singing eulogies. I like if you ask abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), for me about it if it is lawful; otherwise, I will sell her and use the funds from selling her until Allah opens up a door for me.’ My father said to her, ‘I consider abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), greatly exalted and cannot ask such things from him.’ He (the narrator) has said that when we visited him (the Imam) I informed him (the Imam) about it and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘Does she set a condition?’ I replied, ‘By Allah, I do not know if she does or does not do.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Tell her not to set up a condition for payment but accept whatever is given to you.’”

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, when he was asked about the income from eulogies, ‘She can make it lawful by tapping one of her hands against the other.’”