[List of Contents - Rulings of prayer (Thozhugai sattangal book by MI Sulaiman)]
Funeral prayer
If a man dies, the duty of Muslims is to conduct (funeral) prayer and bury him. The Prophet (pbuh) has shown how to perform funeral prayer for the dead. Let's see them.
The place for prayer
In the interior of masjid, exterior of masjid, at homes, at an open space and in such nature any place can be utilized for placing the dead and conducting funeral prayer.وَحَدَّثَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ السَّعْدِيُّ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْحَنْظَلِيُّ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لإِسْحَاقَ - قَالَ عَلِيٌّ حَدَّثَنَا وَقَالَ، إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْوَاحِدِ بْنِ حَمْزَةَ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، أَمَرَتْ أَنْ يُمَرَّ، بِجَنَازَةِ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَتُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَنْكَرَ النَّاسُ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالَتْ مَا أَسْرَعَ مَا نَسِيَ النَّاسُ مَا صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى سُهَيْلِ ابْنِ الْبَيْضَاءِ إِلاَّ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ .
'Abbad b. 'Abdullah b. Zubair reported that 'A'isha ordered the bier of Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas to be brought into the mosque so that she should pray for him. The people disapproved this (act) of hers. She said:
How soon the people have forgotten that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered not the funeral prayer of Suhail b al-Baida' but in a mosque.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 973 a
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 128
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 2123
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL Reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/11/128
حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْمُنْذِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو ضَمْرَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ الْيَهُودَ، جَاءُوا إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِرَجُلٍ مِنْهُمْ وَامْرَأَةٍ زَنَيَا، فَأَمَرَ بِهِمَا فَرُجِمَا قَرِيبًا مِنْ مَوْضِعِ الْجَنَائِزِ عِنْدَ الْمَسْجِدِ.
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:
The Jew brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) a man and a woman from amongst them who have committed (adultery) illegal sexual intercourse. He ordered both of them to be stoned (to death), near the place of offering the funeral prayers beside the mosque."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1329
In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 85
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 23, Hadith 413
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/23/85
In this hadith, the phrase ‘near the place of offering the funeral prayers’ is observed from which we can understand that there was a separate space reserved for funeral prayer. This place was outside (beside/next to) the masjid. That happens to be the reason why punishment was given in that place.
Timings when prayer should be avoided
When the sun begins to rise until it is fully up, when the sun is at its height at midday till it passes over the meridian (towards west), and when the sun begins disappearing and until it fully disappears. In these three timings, prayer and burial should not be done.وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عُلَىٍّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عُقْبَةَ بْنَ عَامِرٍ الْجُهَنِيَّ، يَقُولُ ثَلاَثُ سَاعَاتٍ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَنْهَانَا أَنْ نُصَلِّيَ فِيهِنَّ أَوْ أَنْ نَقْبُرَ فِيهِنَّ مَوْتَانَا حِينَ تَطْلُعُ الشَّمْسُ بَازِغَةً حَتَّى تَرْتَفِعَ وَحِينَ يَقُومُ قَائِمُ الظَّهِيرَةِ حَتَّى تَمِيلَ الشَّمْسُ وَحِينَ تَضَيَّفُ الشَّمْسُ لِلْغُرُوبِ حَتَّى تَغْرُبَ .
Uqba b. 'Amir said:
There were three times at which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forbade us to pray, or bury our dead: When the sun begins to rise till it is fully up, when the sun is at its height at midday till it passes over the meridian, and when the sun draws near to setting till it sets.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 831
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 357
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1811
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/6/357
Funeral prayer for the baby
If a child has not reached the age of puberty; then can be buried with or without conducting the funeral prayer.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى بْنِ فَارِسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنِ ابْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، عَنْ عَمْرَةَ بِنْتِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ مَاتَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ابْنُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ ابْنُ ثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:
Ibrahim, the son of the Prophet (ﷺ), died when he was eighteen months old. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not pray over him.
Grade : Hasan in chain (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 3187
In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 99
English translation : Book 20, Hadith 3181
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/abudawud/21/99
(Also reported in Musnad Ahmad 25101)
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا طَلْحَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، عَنْ عَمَّتِهِ، عَائِشَةَ بِنْتِ طَلْحَةَ عَنْ خَالَتِهَا أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ أُتِيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِصَبِيٍّ مِنْ صِبْيَانِ الأَنْصَارِ فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ . قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَقُلْتُ طُوبَى لِهَذَا عُصْفُورٌ مِنْ عَصَافِيرِ الْجَنَّةِ لَمْ يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا وَلَمْ يُدْرِكْهُ . قَالَ " أَوَغَيْرَ ذَلِكَ يَا عَائِشَةُ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الْجَنَّةَ وَخَلَقَ لَهَا أَهْلاً وَخَلَقَهُمْ فِي أَصْلاَبِ آبَائِهِمْ وَخَلَقَ النَّارَ وَخَلَقَ لَهَا أَهْلاً وَخَلَقَهُمْ فِي أَصْلاَبِ آبَائِهِمْ " .
The mother of the believers, 'Aishah, said:
"One of the children of the Ansar (who had died) was brought to the Messenger of Allah so he prayed for him." 'Aishah said: "How fortunate he is, one of the little birds of Paradise. He never did any evil or reached the age of puberty." He said: "It is better not to say anything, O 'Aishah Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, created Paradise and created people for it, He created them in the loins of their fathers. And He created Hell and created people for it, and He created them in the loins of their fathers."
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1947
In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 131
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 21, Hadith 1949
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/21/131
Method to place the janaza (corpse)
The janaza (corpse) should be placed in front of the Imam (such that it is between Imam and Qibla).حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ، أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُصَلِّي وَهْىَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْقِبْلَةِ عَلَى فِرَاشِ أَهْلِهِ، اعْتِرَاضَ الْجَنَازَةِ.
Narrated `Aisha:
Allah Apostle prayed while I was lying like a dead body on his family bed between him and his Qibla.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 383
In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 35
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 380
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/8/35
From this Hadith, we can know that the janaza (corpse) should be placed such that is between the Imam and the Qibla.
The place where the Imam should stand
Imam should stand towards the head portion if the janaza (corpse) is male and stand towards the abdomen portion if the janaza (corpse) is female.حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُنِيرٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ، عَنْ أَبِي غَالِبٍ، قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ عَلَى جَنَازَةِ رَجُلٍ فَقَامَ حِيَالَ رَأْسِهِ ثُمَّ جَاءُوا بِجَنَازَةِ امْرَأَةٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَقَالُوا يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ صَلِّ عَلَيْهَا . فَقَامَ حِيَالَ وَسَطِ السَّرِيرِ . فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَلاَءُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ هَكَذَا رَأَيْتَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَامَ عَلَى الْجَنَازَةِ مُقَامَكَ مِنْهَا وَمِنَ الرَّجُلِ مُقَامَكَ مِنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ . فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَ احْفَظُوا . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ سَمُرَةَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ أَنَسٍ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ وَقَدْ رَوَى غَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ عَنْ هَمَّامٍ مِثْلَ هَذَا . وَرَوَى وَكِيعٌ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَنْ هَمَّامٍ فَوَهِمَ فِيهِ فَقَالَ عَنْ غَالِبٍ عَنْ أَنَسٍ . وَالصَّحِيحُ عَنْ أَبِي غَالِبٍ . وَقَدْ رَوَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ وَغَيْرُ وَاحِدٍ عَنْ أَبِي غَالِبٍ مِثْلَ رِوَايَةِ هَمَّامٍ . وَاخْتَلَفُوا فِي اسْمِ أَبِي غَالِبٍ هَذَا فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ يُقَالُ اسْمُهُ نَافِعٌ وَيُقَالُ رَافِعٌ . وَقَدْ ذَهَبَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ إِلَى هَذَا وَهُوَ قَوْلُ أَحْمَدَ وَإِسْحَاقَ .
Abu Ghalib narrated:
"I prayed for the funeral of a man with Anas bin Malik, so he stood parallel to his head. Then they came with the body of a woman from the Quraish. They said: 'O Abu Hamzah perform the prayer for her.' So he stood parallel to her waist. Al-Ala bin Ziyad said to him: 'Is this how you saw the Messenger of Allah standing in the place for the funeral as you did for her, and for a place that you stood for the man?' He said: 'Yes.' When he was finished he said: 'Remember (this).'"
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1034
In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 70
English translation : Vol. 2, Book 5, Hadith 1034
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/10/70
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ عَامِرٍ، عَنْ هَمَّامٍ، عَنْ أَبِي غَالِبٍ، قَالَ رَأَيْتُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ صَلَّى عَلَى جِنَازَةِ رَجُلٍ فَقَامَ حِيَالَ رَأْسِهِ فَجِيءَ بِجِنَازَةٍ أُخْرَى بِامْرَأَةٍ فَقَالُوا يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ صَلِّ عَلَيْهَا . فَقَامَ حِيَالَ وَسَطِ السَّرِيرِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَلاَءُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ هَكَذَا رَأَيْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَامَ مِنَ الْجِنَازَةِ مُقَامَكَ مِنَ الرَّجُلِ وَقَامَ مِنَ الْمَرْأَةِ مُقَامَكَ مِنَ الْمَرْأَةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ . فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيْنَا فَقَالَ احْفَظُوا .
It was narrated that Abu Ghalib said:
“I saw Anas bin Malik offering the funeral prayer for a man, and he stood level with his head. Then another funeral was brought, that of a woman, and they said: ‘O Abu Hamzah! Offer the funeral prayer for her.’ So he stood level with the middle of the bed (the body was upon). ‘Ala’ bin Ziyad said to him: ‘O Abu Hamzah! Is this how you saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) standing in relation to the body of a man and a woman as you have stood?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ Then he turned to us and said: ‘Remember this.’”
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan-Ibn-Majah
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1494
Arabic reference : Book 6, Hadith 1561
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1288440
(Also reported in Musnad Ahmad 12640)
Single prayer for many janazas (corpses)
If male and female (janazas) corpses are at the same time, the female janaza (corpse) should be placed closer to the Qibla and then the male janaza (corpse) to be placed beside. The Imam has to stand near the male janaza (corpse). Single funeral prayer can be conducted for many janazas (corpses).أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ نَافِعًا، يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ، صَلَّى عَلَى تِسْعِ جَنَائِزَ جَمِيعًا فَجَعَلَ الرِّجَالَ يَلُونَ الإِمَامَ وَالنِّسَاءَ يَلِينَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَصَفَّهُنَّ صَفًّا وَاحِدًا وَوُضِعَتْ جَنَازَةُ أُمِّ كُلْثُومٍ بِنْتِ عَلِيٍّ امْرَأَةِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ وَابْنٍ لَهَا يُقَالُ لَهُ زَيْدٌ وُضِعَا جَمِيعًا وَالإِمَامُ يَوْمَئِذٍ سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْعَاصِ وَفِي النَّاسِ ابْنُ عُمَرَ وَأَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ وَأَبُو سَعِيدٍ وَأَبُو قَتَادَةَ فَوُضِعَ الْغُلاَمُ مِمَّا يَلِي الإِمَامَ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ فَأَنْكَرْتُ ذَلِكَ فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَأَبِي سَعِيدٍ وَأَبِي قَتَادَةَ فَقُلْتُ مَا هَذَا قَالُوا هِيَ السُّنَّةُ .
Ibn Juraij said:
"I heard Naji, claim that Ibn 'Umar offered the funeral prayer for nine together. He put the men closer to the Imam and the women closer to the Qiblah, and he placed them (the women) in one row. And the body of Umm Kulthum bint 'Ali the wife of 'Umar bin Al-Khattab, and a son of hers called Zaid were placed together. The Imam that day was Saeed bin Al-As and among the people were Ibn 'Umar, Abu Hurairah, Abu Saeed and Abu Qatadah. The boy was placed closer to the Imam. A man said something objecting to that, so I looked at Ibn 'Abbas, Abu Hurairah, Abu Saeed and Abu Qatadah and said: 'What is this?' They said: 'It is the Sunnah."
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1978
In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 162
English translation : Vol. 3, Book 21, Hadith 1980
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/nasai/21/162
The praying method for funeral prayer
The wudu (ablution) for janaza prayer should be performed for funeral prayer. But some people say that wudu is not needed. The reason they say is ‘The funeral prayer is not like other prayers; There is no ruku (bowing) and sajda (prostration) positions. It's just a dua (invocation); Hence, there is no need for wudu (ablution)’, is their argument. But even though the funeral prayer is dua (invocation), the dua (invocation) is done inside the prayer.حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، وَهَنَّادٌ، وَمَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَقِيلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ ابْنِ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلاَةِ الطُّهُورُ وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ أَصَحُّ شَيْءٍ فِي هَذَا الْبَابِ وَأَحْسَنُ . وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَقِيلٍ هُوَ صَدُوقٌ وَقَدْ تَكَلَّمَ فِيهِ بَعْضُ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ قِبَلِ حِفْظِهِ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَسَمِعْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يَقُولُ كَانَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَنْبَلٍ وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَالْحُمَيْدِيُّ يَحْتَجُّونَ بِحَدِيثِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَقِيلٍ . قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ وَهُوَ مُقَارِبُ الْحَدِيثِ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ جَابِرٍ وَأَبِي سَعِيدٍ .
'Ali narrated that :
the Prophet, said: "The key to Salat is the purification, its Tahrim is the Takblr, and its Tahlil is the Taslim."
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 3
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 3
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/1/3
حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَقِيلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ ابْنِ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، رضى الله عنه قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلاَةِ الطُّهُورُ وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ " .
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib:
The key to prayer is purification; its beginning is takbir and its end is taslim.
Grade : Hasan Sahih (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 61
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 61
English translation : Book 1, Hadith 61
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/abudawud/1/61
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَقِيلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ ابْنِ الْحَنَفِيَّةِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلاَةِ الطُّهُورُ وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ " .
It was narrated from Muhammed bin Al-Hanafiyyah that his father said:
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'The key to prayer is purification, its opening is to say 'Allahu Akbar' and its closing is to say As-salamu 'alaikum.'"
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 275
Arabic reference : Book 1, Hadith 288
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1252740
(Also reported in Musnad Ahmad 957)
Based on this hadith a prayer is basically that starts from takbir (the saying of allāhu 'akbar, meaning Allah is greatest) and ends in tasleem (the portion of the prayer where one recites As-salāmu ʿalaikum wa-raḥmatullah i.e. peace and blessings of Allah be unto you). Absence of ruku and sajdah alone cannot conclude that it is not a prayer. The funeral prayer also starts with takbir and ends in tasleem. Moreover, Allah in His scripture ...
وَلَا تُصَلِّ عَلَىٰ أَحَدٍ مِّنْهُم مَّاتَ أَبَدًا وَلَا تَقُمْ عَلَىٰ قَبْرِهِ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَاتُوا وَهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ - 9:84
SAHIH INTERNATIONAL
And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muhammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.
Speaking of the funeral prayer in this verse is being referred to as a prayer itself. Similar to this is also being referred to as prayer in hadiths. So, one should not differentiate funeral prayer from other prayers. Therefore, like all prayers the wudu (ablution) must be performed.
Similarly, looking towards Qibla, raising hands in the first takbir and placing the hands on the chest and all such needs to be done like other prayers in funeral prayer as well.
How many takbirs?
In funeral prayer, an addition four or five takbir should be said.حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَعَى النَّجَاشِيَّ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ، خَرَجَ إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى، فَصَفَّ بِهِمْ وَكَبَّرَ أَرْبَعًا.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) informed (the people) about the death of An-Najashi on the very day he died. He went towards the Musalla (praying place) and the people stood behind him in rows. He said four Takbirs (i.e. offered the Funeral prayer).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1245
In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 9
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 23, Hadith 337
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/23/9
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَعَى لِلنَّاسِ النَّجَاشِيَ فِي الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي مَاتَ فِيهِ فَخَرَجَ بِهِمْ إِلَى الْمُصَلَّى وَكَبَّرَ أَرْبَعَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ .
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.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 951 a
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 82
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 2077
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/11/82
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ، بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، - وَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، - عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى قَالَ كَانَ زَيْدٌ يُكَبِّرُ عَلَى جَنَائِزِنَا أَرْبَعًا وَإِنَّهُ كَبَّرَ عَلَى جَنَازَةٍ خَمْسًا فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَقَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُكَبِّرُهَا .
It is narrated on the authority of 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abu Laila that Zaid used to recite four takbirs on our funerals and he recited five takbirs on one funeral. I asked him the reason (for this variation), to which he replied:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited thus.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 957
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 94
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 2089
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/11/94
Should the hands be raised for every single takbir being said?
In the first takbir, the hands should be raised and be placed on the chest. Four or five takbirs have to be said including the first takbir. There is no authentic report to raise the hands when takbir is said. So except for the first takbir, the hands should not be raised for other takbirs.To be read/recited between takbirs
After first takbir, the Surat al-Fatihah should be recited. After the second takbir, the salawat (salutations) that is read during prayer which was taught by Prophet (pbuh). Later in the other takbirs the duas found in the hadiths meant for the deceased have to read as given below.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ طَلْحَةَ، قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ. حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ، قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ عَلَى جَنَازَةٍ فَقَرَأَ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ قَالَ لِيَعْلَمُوا أَنَّهَا سُنَّةٌ.
Narrated Talha bin `Abdullah bin `Auf:
I offered the funeral prayer behind Ibn `Abbas and he recited Al-Fatiha and said, "You should know that it (i.e. recitation of Al-Fatiha) is the tradition of the Prophet (ﷺ) Muhammad.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1335
In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 91
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 23, Hadith 419
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/23/91
From Abu Umamah that a person from the companion of the Prophet Muhammad (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) informed him that "when offering a funeral prayer it is Sunnah for the Imam to say aloud Allahu Akbar (first opening Takbeer), then to recite al-Fatiha silently in his heart, and then invoke blessings upon the Prophet and then pray for forgiveness of the deceased. Nothing else is to be recited in between Takbeers. Finally, he should end his prayer with the salutation (Assalamu Alaikum) in his heart, i.e. not making it aloud".
Reporter: Abu Umamah
Books: Baihaqi 6750, Haakim 1331
Duas (invocations) for funeral prayer
The duas (invocations) taught to be read for the deceased person by Prophet Muhammad (saws) and the ones he recited are found in the hadith books.وَحَدَّثَنِي هَارُونُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الأَيْلِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، عَنْ حَبِيبِ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ، عَنْ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ نُفَيْرٍ، سَمِعَهُ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَوْفَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يَقُولُ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى جَنَازَةٍ فَحَفِظْتُ مِنْ دُعَائِهِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ " اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ الأَبْيَضَ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ وَأَهْلاً خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ أَوْ مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ " . قَالَ حَتَّى تَمَنَّيْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ أَنَا ذَلِكَ الْمَيِّتَ . قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ جُبَيْرٍ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِنَحْوِ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ أَيْضًا .
Jubair b. Nufair says:
I heard it from 'Auf b. Malik that the Prophet (ﷺ) said prayer on the dead body, and I remembered his prayer:" O Allah! forgive him, have mercy upon him, give him peace and absolve him. Receive him with honour and make his grave spacious; wash him with water, snow and hail. Cleanse him from faults as Thou wouldst cleanse a white garment from impurity. Requite him with an abode more excellent than his abode, with a family better than his family, and with a mate better than his mate. Admit him to the Garden, and protect him from the torment of the grave and the torment of the Fire." ('Auf bin Malik) said: I earnestly desired that I were this dead body.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 963 a, 963 b
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 109
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 2104
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/11/109
حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ إِذَا صَلَّى عَلَى جِنَازَةٍ يَقُولُ " اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِسْلاَمِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلاَ تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ " .
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:
“When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered the funeral prayer he would say: ‘Allahummaghfir lihayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha’ibina, wa saghirina wa kabirina, wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaitahu minna faahyihi ‘alal-Islam, wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa tawaffahu ‘alal- iman. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la tudillana ba’dah. [O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those who are present and those who are absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whomever of us You cause to live, let him live in Islam, and whomever of us You cause to die, let him die in (a state of) faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward, and do not let us go astray after him].’”
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1498
Arabic reference : Book 6, Hadith 1565
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1288480
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ مَرْوَانَ الرَّقِّيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ إِسْحَاقَ - عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى جَنَازَةٍ فَقَالَ " اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا وَمَيِّتِنَا وَصَغِيرِنَا وَكَبِيرِنَا وَذَكَرِنَا وَأُنْثَانَا وَشَاهِدِنَا وَغَائِبِنَا اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى الإِيمَانِ وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى الإِسْلاَمِ اللَّهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلاَ تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ " .
Narrated AbuHurayrah:
When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed over a dead person, he said: O Allah, forgive those of us who are living and those of us who are dead, those of us who are present and those of us who are absent, our young and our old, our male and our female. O Allah, to whomsoever of us Thou givest life grant him life as a believer, and whomsoever of us Thou takest in death take him in death as a follower of Islam. O Allah, do not withhold from us the reward (of faith) and do not lead us astray after his death.
Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 3201
In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 113
English translation : Book 20, Hadith 3195
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/abudawud/21/113
Saying salaam
After four or five takbirs being said, ‘Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah’ should be said towards both the sides.Abdullah Ibn Masood (RA) narrates that there are three things which the Messenger of Allah (SWT) used to do and which people have neglected and amongst them is doing Tasleem (Salam) after Janazah Salah like regular Salah.
Books: Baihaqi 6780, Tabrani Kabeer (Part: 1, Page 82)
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا زَائِدَةُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ الْمُحَارِبِيُّ، وَزِيَادُ بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ الطَّنَافِسِيُّ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا تَمِيمُ بْنُ الْمُنْتَصِرِ، أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ يُوسُفَ - عَنْ شَرِيكٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَنِيعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، وَقَالَ، إِسْرَائِيلُ عَنْ أَبِي الأَحْوَصِ، وَالأَسْوَدِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يُسَلِّمُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ حَتَّى يُرَى بَيَاضُ خَدِّهِ " السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ " . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَهَذَا لَفْظُ حَدِيثِ سُفْيَانَ وَحَدِيثُ إِسْرَائِيلَ لَمْ يُفَسِّرْهُ . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَرَوَاهُ زُهَيْرٌ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ وَيَحْيَى بْنُ آدَمَ عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الأَسْوَدِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَعَلْقَمَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ شُعْبَةُ كَانَ يُنْكِرُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ - حَدِيثَ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ - أَنْ يَكُونَ مَرْفُوعًا .
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mas'ud:
The Prophet (ﷺ) used to give the salutation to his left and right sides until the whiteness of his cheek was seen, (saying: "Peace be upon you, and mercy of Allah" twice.
AbuDawud said: This is a version of the tradition reported by AbuSufyan. The version of Isra'il did not explain it. AbuDawud said: This tradition has been narrated by Zubayr from AbuIshaq and Yahya ibn Adam from Isra'il from AbuIshaq from AbdurRahman ibn al-Aswad from his father from Alqamah on the authority of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud. AbuDawud said: Shu'bah used to reject this tradition, the tradition narrated by AbuIshaq as coming from the Prophet (ﷺ).
Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani)
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 996
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 607
English translation : Book 3, Hadith 991
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/abudawud/2/607
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَانَ يُسَلِّمُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ حَتَّى يُرَى بَيَاضُ خَدِّهِ " السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ " .
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to say the Salam to his right and his left, until the whiteness of his cheek could be seen (saying):
“As-salamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullah (Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah).”
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 914
Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 967
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1282620
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ كَانَ يُسَلِّمُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ يَسَارِهِ " السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ " . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ وَابْنِ عُمَرَ وَجَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ وَالْبَرَاءِ وَأَبِي سَعِيدٍ وَعَمَّارٍ وَوَائِلِ بْنِ حُجْرٍ وَعَدِيِّ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ وَجَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَالْعَمَلُ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَ أَكْثَرِ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَنْ بَعْدَهُمْ وَهُوَ قَوْلُ سُفْيَانَ الثَّوْرِيِّ وَابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ وَأَحْمَدَ وَإِسْحَاقَ .
Abdullah narrated:
"The Prophet would say the Salam from his right and from his left (saying): (As-Salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah, as-Salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah) 'Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy. Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 295
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 147
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 295
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/2/147
Women in funeral prayer
Like men, women can also participate in the funeral prayer. During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (saws), women have participated in the funeral prayer.On the authority of Abdullah bin Abu Talha (ra) from his father Abu Talha (ra), who stated, "I invited the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) regarding Umair (ra) when he had passed away. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) came to us and offered the funeral prayer for him in our home. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) moved forward (to lead), while I stood behind him and Umm Sulaim (ra) stood behind me".
Reporter: Abdullah bin Abu Talha
Books: Haakim 1350, Baihaqi 6699
Translated by: Abu Abdul Baari and Ummu Abdul Baari
Source நபிவழியில் தொழுகை சட்டங்கள் (Nabivazhiyil Thozhugay Sattangal) book by MI Muhammad Sulaiman, Aug 2015 edition, page 192-202
The original source (Tamizh):https://www.facebook.com/notes/thowheed-translations/tamizh-funeral-prayer/244272726084060/
