The Rulings on Funerals
The term “funeral” is the plural of ” جنازة” (janazah), which, in the legal sense, refers to the deceased person lying on a bier. There are several legal rulings associated with funerals, which will be elaborated upon in the following sections:
Carrying and Following the Funeral
It is incumbent upon Muslims to carry and follow the funeral procession. This is supported by the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who stated: “The rights of a Muslim over another Muslim are five,” narrated by Abu Huraira, among them the right to follow the funeral. This underscores the importance of this act as a duty of respect towards the deceased by fellow Muslims.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also highlighted the virtue of attending a funeral by saying, “Whoever attends the funeral until the prayer is recited for the deceased will receive one carat of reward, and if he remains until the body is buried, he will receive two carats.” When asked about the meaning of these carats, he explained that they are akin to two great mountains. This illustrates the merit of participating in the funeral of a fellow Muslim.
Walking in the Funeral Procession
Walking in a funeral procession is a Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Scholars have differing opinions regarding the manner of walking during the funeral, which can be summarized as follows:
- First Opinion:
It is recommended to walk briskly during the funeral procession, which is the view of the majority of scholars, supported by the Prophet’s saying: “Walk briskly with the funeral, for if it is righteous, it is a good deed you are hastening, and if it is not, it is a burden you are lifting from your shoulders.” Some, including Ibn Hazm, even regard this as obligatory.
- Second Opinion:
Some scholars advocate a moderate pace when walking, citing a weak hadith narrated by Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari.
Standing for the Funeral Procession as it Passes
The Hanafi school holds that standing for a funeral procession as it passes in front of seated individuals is not permissible, while the Maliki and Hanbali schools view it as disliked, as there is no established evidence from the practice of the early generations. Conversely, Al-Qalyubi supports the view that it is commendable to stand, offer prayers for the deceased, and praise him as the procession passes.
Funeral Prayer
The funeral prayer is considered a communal obligation (فروض الكفاية), meaning that if a group of Muslims performs it, the remaining individuals are absolved of sin. It can be conducted in either a mosque or an outdoor setting, although it is preferable to be held in a designated area. It is prohibited to perform the funeral prayer among graves. Below are the specifications of the prayer:
- The imam should stand at the head of a male deceased, and at the waist of a female deceased.
- The imam will offer four takbirs (saying “Allahu Akbar”) during the funeral prayer, and the details are as follows:
- After the first takbir, he recites Surah Al-Fatiha.
- After the second takbir, he sends blessings upon the Prophet, preferably using the Ibrahimic formula.
- After the third takbir, he prays for the deceased.
- After the fourth takbir, he prays for himself and the believers.
- It is recommended for the imam and the congregation to raise their hands at each takbir.
- They should conclude the prayer with salutations to the right and left.
Rulings Related to the Deceased
Washing of the Deceased
Muslims are mandated to wash the deceased. Any Muslim may perform this duty for another Muslim, though it is preferable for relatives of the deceased, provided they share the same gender, with the exception of spouses, as both partners may wash each other. The basic form of washing requires pouring water over the body three times, accompanied by the intention. There are more detailed methods of washing the deceased, but they are beyond the scope of this discussion.
Shrouding the Deceased
It is also obligatory for Muslims to shroud the deceased in a manner that covers them adequately. This is grounded in the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him), “If one of you shrouds his brother, he should do so well.” Typically, men are shrouded in three pieces of cloth, while women should be covered in five pieces: a wrapper, a shirt, a scarf, and two additional wraps, ensuring proper coverage in adherence to Islamic guidelines.
Burial of the Deceased
Digging the grave and burying the deceased are considered a communal obligation (فروض الكفاية). Scholars agree that the deceased should lie on their right side facing the Qibla, with their head and feet aligned towards the Qibla, rather than lying flat on their back. There are differing opinions on the method of placing the deceased in the grave:
- First Opinion:
The body should be lowered in from the direction of the Qibla, with the person undertaking the burial facing the Qibla.
- Second Opinion:
The body is placed at the end of the grave and is then lowered gently from the head end.
It is recommended to repeat the established supplication from the Sunnah when burying, which is: “In the name of Allah, by Allah, and upon the faith of the Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned this supplication on at least one occasion, emphasizing its significance.