Chapter: Praying Over Funerals After Dawn Until Sunrise and After Asr Until Yellowing (of the Sun): A Jurisprudential Study
Introduction
The funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) is a collective obligation (Fard Kifayah) in Islam and one of the significant rights the deceased holds over the living. Numerous prophetic traditions highlight the virtue of attending and performing the funeral prayer, and Islamic law has specified the recommended and disliked times for this prayer. Among the jurisprudential issues scholars have differed on is **praying over funerals after Fajr until sunrise (Isfar) and after Asr until the yellowing of the sun (Isfirar)**.
This article will explore this issue in detail by covering:
1. **The ruling on praying over funerals during these times.**
2. **Evidence from the Quran, Sunnah, and scholarly opinions.**
3. **Jurisprudential differences among Islamic schools of thought.**
4. **Legal analysis and preference between opinions.**
5. **Benefits and etiquettes related to the funeral prayer.**
Chapter 1: The Ruling on Praying Over Funerals After Fajr and Asr
1. Disliked Times for Prayer in Islam
It is well-established in Islamic law that there are times when the Prophet (ï·º) prohibited voluntary prayers:
- **After Fajr prayer until the sun rises a spear’s length (about 15-20 minutes after sunrise).**
- **When the sun is at its zenith (midday) until it declines (Dhuhr time).**
- **After Asr prayer until sunset.**
These are times when unrestricted voluntary prayers are disliked, but scholars have differed regarding prayers with a specific reason, such as the funeral prayer, during these periods.
2. The Ruling on Praying Over Funerals in Disliked Times
Scholars have two main opinions on this matter:
First Opinion: It is disliked to pray over funerals during these times
This is the view of **Hanafis, Malikis, and Hanbalis**, based on the following evidence:
- The hadith of Uqbah ibn Amir al-Juhani, where the Prophet (ï·º) said:
> **"There are three times during which the Messenger of Allah (ï·º) forbade us to pray or bury our dead: when the sun rises until it has fully risen, when it is at its zenith until it passes the meridian, and when it is about to set until it has fully set."** (Sahih Muslim)
This hadith mentions the prohibition of **both prayer and burial**, which includes the funeral prayer.
- The funeral prayer is similar to voluntary prayers, so it falls under the general prohibition.
Second Opinion: It is permissible to pray over funerals during these times without dislike
This is the view of **Shafi’is**, a narration from the Hanbalis, and some contemporary scholars, based on:
- The hadith of Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
> **"Whoever attends a funeral until he prays over it 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 & Muslim)
The Prophet (ï·º) did not differentiate between times regarding the reward for attending the funeral prayer.
- The funeral prayer is a prayer with a valid reason, so it is exempt from the prohibition on unrestricted voluntary prayers.
- Delaying the burial of the deceased is discouraged in Islam, so prohibiting the prayer at these times may cause unnecessary delays.
Chapter 2: Evidence and Analysis of Both Opinions
Evidence of Those Who Prohibit (Dislike)
1. **General prohibition on prayer**: The prohibition applies to all prayers unless an exception is made.
2. **Analogy to voluntary prayers**: The funeral prayer is not an individual obligation, so it resembles voluntary prayers.
3. **Prohibition on burial**: If burial is disliked, then the prayer before it is even more so.
Evidence of Those Who Permit (Allow It)
1. **Distinction between prayers with and without reason**: Like the eclipse prayer, which is permitted even in disliked times.
2. **Religious interest (Maslahah)**: Hastening the burial is encouraged, so praying over the deceased at any time is preferable.
3. **No explicit prohibition**: The general prohibition does not specifically include funeral prayers.
Discussion and Preference
After examining the evidence, **the opinion permitting the prayer is stronger** because:
- The funeral prayer has a valid religious reason.
- The prohibition is primarily for unrestricted voluntary prayers.
- There is a religious benefit in not delaying the burial.
Chapter 3: Differences Between "Isfar" (Sunrise) and "Isfirar" (Yellowing of the Sun)
1. Time of "Isfar" After Fajr
- **"Isfar"**: The brightening of the day when the sun rises a spear’s length (about 15-20 minutes after sunrise).
- **Praying over funerals from Fajr until Isfar**: This is the disputed period. Those who dislike it argue that the prohibition lasts until the sun rises, while those who permit it restrict it to a short time.
2. Time of "Isfirar" After Asr
- **"Isfirar"**: The yellowing of the sun before sunset (about 15-20 minutes before Maghrib).
- Praying during this time is also debated, but the permissibility opinion accommodates it if necessary.
Chapter 4: Etiquettes and Benefits of the Funeral Prayer
1. Virtues of the Funeral Prayer
- The Prophet (ï·º) said:
> **"Whoever attends a funeral until he prays over it will have one Qirat, and whoever stays until burial will have two Qirats."**
- It is intercession for the deceased, as the Prophet (ï·º) said:
> **"No Muslim dies and forty men who associate nothing with Allah pray over him except that Allah accepts their intercession for him."** (Sahih Muslim)
2. Etiquettes of the Funeral Prayer
- **Facing the Qiblah.**
- **Sincere intention for Allah’s sake.**
- **Supplicating for the deceased’s forgiveness and mercy.**
Conclusion
After this detailed discussion, it is clear that **praying over funerals after Fajr until sunrise and after Asr until the yellowing of the sun is permissible according to the majority of scholars**, especially if there is a need for urgency. However, it is preferable to delay the prayer to more virtuous times unless necessary.
And Allah knows best. May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
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