INJUNCTIONS CONCERNING THE FUNERAL PRAYER

FARD KIFAAYAH (A Communal Duty) The performance if salaatul-janaazah (the funeral prayer) is considered fard kifaayah. If someone is buried without it being performed, the whole community is held responsible, but as long as some gather and perform it obligation is removed from the community as a whole.

IN CONGREGATION Salaatul-janaazah, like the five daily compulsory prayers, must be performed in congregation. This was the only way that the Prophet (PBUH) and his companion did it. The Prophet (PBUH) was also reported to have said, “Pray as you saw me pray.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, vol. 1, p.345, no.604)

THREE ROWS It is preferable that those behind the imaam form at least three rows, as this was the Sunnah when the number of worshippers was insufficient to fill the masjid. Aboo Umaamah reported that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) led the salaah for the dead along with seven people and he made them form three rows, two of which had two people in them.

TWO MEN If there is only one man besides the imaam, he should pray behind the imaam and not besides him as he would in the case of all other salaahs.

THE IMAAM The ameer or his assistant has more right to lead the funeral prayer than the deceased’s walee. And if both of them are not present, then the one who has memorized the most Qur’aan should lead the funeral prayer, even if he is a child.

LOCATION OF THE PRAYER Salaatul-jannazah can be prayed in the masjid or out side the masjid but it is forbidden to say it between graves. POSITION OF THE IMAAM The imaam should stand, facing the qiblah, behind the head of the dead man and behind the middle of the dead woman. NUNMBER OF TAKBEERS It is possible to do four, five, six, seven or nine takbeers, as all of them are recorded in authentic hadeeths and acts of the Prophet’s (PBUH) companions.

RAISING THE HANDS It is permissible to either raise one’s hands with each takbeer, or to do so only for the first takbeer. RECITATION Immediately after the first takbeer, the chapter al-Faatihah should be read: “ All praise is for Allah, the Rabb of the worlds. The Compassionate, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You Alone we worship and You Alone we call on for help. Guide us to The Right Way. The Way of those whom You have favored; not of those who have earned Your wrath, or of those who have lost The Way.”

SURAH FATIHA

PRAYER FOR THE PROPHET (PBUH) Immediately after the second takbeer, the prayer for the Prophet (PBUH) should be maded according to one of the various patterns used in regular salaah. Aboo Umaamah in describing the funereal prayer went on to say, “Then the prayer for the Prophet (PBUH) should be made.” “O Allah, praise Muhammad (PBUH) and his family as you praised Ibraaheem and his family. Verily you are the Most Praised and Glorious. O Allah bless Muhammad (PBUH) and his family as you have blessed Ibraaheem and his family. Verily you are the Most Praised and Glorious.”

DUROOD IBRAHIMI

DU’AA FOR THE DEAD After each of the remaining two or more takbeers, sincere prayers should be made for the dead, their relatives and the living. Nothing from the Qur’aan should be recited following these remaining takbeers. The Prophet (PBUH) was quoted as saying, “When you make funereal prayers for the dead, make sincere du’aa for them.” This is an authentic du’aa, which should be said after the third and fourth takbeers: “O Allah forgive him, have mercy on him, make him well, overlook his faults, make his place of rest a noble place and expand (the door of ) his entrance (into Paradise); wash him with water, snow, and hail, and purify him of his sins the way a white cloth is purified of dirt, replace his home with a better home, his family with a better family and his wife with a better spouse; out him in Paradise and give him refuge from the punishment of the grave and the fire.”

TASLEEM Then the closing greetings of the funeral prayer may be given: A) Either by saying: As-salaamu ‘ alaykum wa rahmatullaah [May Allah ‘ s peace and mercy be upon you] to the right side only.