Chapter on What the Person Praying the Funeral Prayer Says: A Hadith-Based Jurisprudential Study
Introduction
The funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) is one of the acts of worship prescribed in Islam to honor the deceased and pray for their forgiveness and mercy. It is a collective obligation (Fard Kifayah) upon Muslims—if some perform it, the sin is lifted from the rest. Numerous prophetic narrations (ahadith) describe the manner of this prayer, including the supplications and remembrances recited in it, highlighting its importance in Islamic law.
This article will examine in detail **what the person praying the funeral prayer says**, relying on authentic prophetic traditions. We will explore juristic opinions on the matter, explain the meanings of the prescribed supplications, and highlight the virtue of praying for the deceased.
Chapter One: The Ruling and Significance of the Funeral Prayer in Islam
1. Definition of the Funeral Prayer
The funeral prayer is a prayer performed for the deceased without bowing (ruku’) or prostration (sujood). It consists of four takbeers (saying "Allahu Akbar"), with supplications for the deceased after each.
2. Its Legal Status
Scholars unanimously agree that the funeral prayer is a **collective obligation (Fard Kifayah)**, based on the Prophet’s (ﷺ) saying:
> **"Pray for your deceased companion."** (Bukhari and Muslim)
If some Muslims perform it, the obligation is fulfilled for the rest. If everyone neglects it, they all bear sin.
3. Its Virtue
The funeral prayer holds great merit. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
> **"Whoever attends a funeral until the prayer is offered will have one Qirat (of reward), and whoever stays until burial will have two Qirats." It was asked, "What are the two Qirats?" He replied, "Like two great mountains."** (Bukhari and Muslim)
This indicates the immense reward for participating in the funeral procession and prayer.
Chapter Two: The Description of the Funeral Prayer and What is Recited in It
1. The Takbeers in the Funeral Prayer
Scholars agree that the funeral prayer consists of **four takbeers**, as established in the Sunnah:
- Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) **"said four takbeers over the funeral."** (Bukhari)
2. What is Said After Each Takbeer
(1) After the First Takbeer: Seeking Refuge and Reciting Al-Fatihah
- It is recommended to recite **Surah Al-Fatihah** after the first takbeer, according to the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools, based on the hadith:
> **"There is no prayer without the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah)."** (Bukhari and Muslim)
The Maliki and Hanafi schools hold that reciting Al-Fatihah is not obligatory but recommended.
(2) After the Second Takbeer: Sending Blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ)
- After the second takbeer, it is Sunnah to send blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ), such as saying:
> **"O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious."**
This is the view of the majority of scholars, based on the general command to send blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ).
(3) After the Third Takbeer: Supplicating for the Deceased
- After the third takbeer, one should supplicate for the deceased, asking for forgiveness and mercy. Several supplications are narrated in the Sunnah, including:
1. **The Well-Known Supplication**:
> **"O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, pardon him, grant him honor, expand his grave, wash him with water, snow, and hail, purify him from sins as a white garment is cleansed from stains, grant him a home better than his home, a family better than his family, a spouse better than his spouse, admit him to Paradise, and protect him from the torment of the grave and the Fire."** (Muslim)
2. **Another Supplication**:
> **"O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females."** (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
(4) After the Fourth Takbeer: Supplicating for Oneself and the Muslims
- After the fourth takbeer, one may pray for oneself and the Muslims, then conclude with a single salam (salutation) to the right, as in the hadith:
> **"The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say one salam in the funeral prayer."** (Ibn Majah)
Chapter Three: Legal Rulings Related to the Funeral Supplications
1. Are Supplications Restricted to the Prescribed Wordings?
Most scholars hold that supplicating for the deceased **is not restricted to specific wordings**; one may pray for them in any good manner. However, it is best to adhere to the narrations from the Prophet (ﷺ).
2. Supplicating for a Non-Muslim
It is not permissible to pray for a non-Muslim or ask for their forgiveness, as Allah says:
> **"It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they are relatives."** (Quran 9:113)
3. Raising Hands During Supplication
- Scholars differ on raising hands during funeral supplications:
- **Shafi’is and Hanbalis**: Recommend raising hands.
- **Malikis and Hanafis**: Only raise hands in specific instances.
The more correct view is that raising hands is **permissible**, based on general hadiths about raising hands in supplication.
Chapter Four: Common Mistakes in the Funeral Prayer
1. **Believing there is only one correct wording for supplication** – The truth is that supplications for the deceased are not restricted to a single form.
2. **Exceeding four takbeers** – This contradicts the Sunnah, as the prayer consists of only four takbeers.
3. **Rushing through the prayer** – One should recite supplications calmly and deliberately.
4. **Neglecting to send blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ)** – This goes against the Sunnah, as blessings should be sent after the second takbeer.
Conclusion
The funeral prayer is a significant act of worship prescribed in Islam to honor the deceased and pray for them. The Sunnah clarifies its manner and the supplications recited in it. While it is best to adhere to the prescribed supplications, one may also pray for the deceased in other good words.
Muslims should uphold this prayer and strive to pray for their fellow believers, hoping that Allah rewards them in kind.
References:
- Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim.
- Sunan Abi Dawud and Tirmidhi.
- Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudamah.
- Nayl al-Awtar by Al-Shawkani.
- Fiqh al-Sunnah by Sayyid Sabiq.
This article combines prophetic evidence and juristic rulings, serving as a reference for those seeking to understand what is said in the funeral prayer.
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