Funeral Prayer In Islam

The Funeral prayer of a deceased Muslim is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah)

Sunnah Method &
Description of Janazah Salah

1. The Funeral prayer of a deceased Muslim is a communal obligation (Fard Kifayah). If someone is buried without it being performed then the whole community is held responsible but as long as some gather and perform it, the obligation is removed from the whole community.

حدثني ‏ ‏حرملة بن يحيى ‏ ‏أخبرنا ‏ ‏ابن وهب ‏ ‏أخبرني ‏ ‏يونس ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏ابن شهاب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏ابن المسيب ‏ ‏أن ‏ ‏أبا هريرة ‏ ‏قال ‏ ‏قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏حق المسلم على المسلم خمس ‏ ‏ح ‏ ‏و حدثنا ‏ ‏عبد بن حميد ‏ ‏أخبرنا ‏ ‏عبد الرزاق ‏ ‏أخبرنا ‏ ‏معمر ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏الزهري ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏ابن المسيب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ ‏قال ‏

‏قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏خمس تجب للمسلم على أخيه رد السلام ‏ ‏وتشميت ‏ ‏العاطس وإجابة الدعوة ‏ ‏وعيادة ‏ ‏المريض واتباع الجنائز

‏ ‏قال ‏ ‏عبد الرزاق ‏ ‏كان ‏ ‏معمر ‏ ‏يرسل هذا الحديث عن ‏ ‏الزهري ‏ ‏وأسنده مرة عن ‏ ‏ابن المسيب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ ‏

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) as saying: Five are the rights of a Muslim over his brother: responding to salutation, saying Yarhamuk Allah when anybody sneezes and says al-Hamdulillah, visiting the sick. following the bier. ‘Abd al-Razzaq said that this hadith has been transmitted as Mursal hadith from Zuhri and he then substantiated it on the authority of Ibn Musayyib.[Muslim]

2. It is Sunnah, praiseworthy and extremely virtuous to participate in the Funeral prayer and burial of a Muslim.

وحدثني محمد بن عبد الله بن نمير حدثنا عبد الله بن يزيد حدثني حيوة حدثني أبو صخر عن يزيد بن عبد الله بن قسيط أنه حدثه أن داود بن عامر بن سعد بن أبي وقاص حدثه عن أبيه أنه كان قاعدا عند عبد الله بن عمر إذ طلع خباب صاحب المقصورة فقال يا عبد الله بن عمر ألا تسمع ما يقول أبو هريرة إنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول من خرج مع جنازة من بيتها وصلى عليها ثم تبعها حتى تدفن كان له قيراطان من أجر كل قيراط مثل أحد ومن صلى عليها ثم رجع كان له من الأجر مثل أحد فأرسل بن عمر خبابا إلى عائشة يسألها عن قول أبي هريرة ثم يرجع إليه فيخبره ما قالت وأخذ بن عمر قبضة من حصباء المسجد يقلبها في يده حتى رجع إليه الرسول فقال قالت عائشة صدق أبو هريرة فضرب بن عمر بالحصى الذي كان في يده الأرض ثم قال لقد فرطنا في قراريط كثيرة

Dawud b. ‘Amir b. Sa’d b. Abu Waqqas reported on the authority of his father that while he was sitting along with ‘Abdullah b. ‘Umar, Khabbab, the owner of Maqsura, said: Ibn ‘Umar, do you hear what Abu Huraira says that he heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) say:” He who goes out with the bier when taken out from its residence and offers prayer for it and he then follows it till it is buried, he would have two qirats of reward, each qirat being equivalent to Uhud; and he who, after having offered prayer, (directly) came back would have his reward (as great) as Uhud”? Ibn ‘Umar sent Khabbab to ‘A’isha in order to ask her about the words of Abu Huraira (and also told him) to come back to him (Ibn ‘Umar) and inform him what ‘A’isha said. (In the meanwhile) Ibn ‘Umar took up a handful of pebbles and turned them over in his hand till the messenger (Khabbab) came back to him and told (him) that ‘A’isha testified (the statement of) Abu Huraira. Ibn ‘Umar threw the pebbles he had in his hand on the ground and then said: We missed a large number of qirats. [Muslim]

3. The Funeral prayer is performed in congregation and there is no evidence from Messenger of Allah (ﷺSallaho Alaihe Wassallam) or Sahaba (RA) to the contrary.

4. All participants in the Funeral prayer must be in a state of Wudhu .

و حدثني ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏مالك ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏نافع ‏ ‏أن ‏ ‏عبد الله بن عمر ‏ ‏كان يقول ‏

‏لا ‏ ‏يصلي الرجل على الجنازة إلا وهو طاهر ‏

Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) used to say, “No one should pray over a dead person unless he is in a state of Wudhu” [Muwatta Imam Malik (RA)]

5. It is permissible to perform Tayammum if one does not have time to do Wudhu.

و حدثني ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏مالك ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏نافع ‏ ‏أن ‏ ‏عبد الله بن عمر ‏ ‏كان يقول ‏

‏لا ‏ ‏يصلي الرجل على الجنازة إلا وهو طاهر ‏

Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) used to say, “No one should pray over a dead person unless he is in a state of Wudhu” [Muwatta Imam Malik (RA)]

قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ : وَبِهَذَا نَأْخُذُ ، لا يَنْبَغِي أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى الْجِنَازَةِ ، إِلا طَاهِرٌ ، فَإِنْ فَاجَأَتْهُ وَهُوَ عَلَى غَيْرِ طُهُورٍ تَيَمَّمَ ، وَصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا ، وَهُوَ قَوْلُ أَبِي حَنِيفَةَ ، رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ

Imam Muhammad (RA) says, “And we adhere to this; one should not pray Janazah Salah unless one is in a state of Wudhu. If the Salah is being established and one does not have time to do Wudhu then it is permissible to pray with Tayammum. This is the opinion of Abu Haneefa (RA)” [Muwatta Imam Muhammad (RA)]

6. There is no Adhan or Iqama for Janazah Salah.

7. Janazah Salah should be performed outside the Masjid.

حدثنا ‏ ‏عبد الله بن يوسف ‏ ‏أخبرنا ‏ ‏مالك ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏ابن شهاب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏سعيد بن المسيب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ ‏رضي الله عنه ‏

‏أن رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏نعى ‏ ‏النجاشي ‏ ‏في اليوم الذي مات فيه وخرج بهم إلى المصلى فصف بهم وكبر عليه أربع تكبيرات ‏

Narrated Abu Huraira (RA) Allah’s Apostle 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). [Bukhari]

حدثنا ‏ ‏إبراهيم بن المنذر ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏أبو ضمرة ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏موسى بن عقبة ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏نافع ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏عبد الله بن عمر ‏ ‏رضي الله عنهما ‏

‏أن ‏ ‏اليهود ‏ ‏جاءوا إلى النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏برجل منهم وامرأة زنيا ‏ ‏فأمر بهما فرجما قريبا من موضع الجنائز عند المسجد ‏

Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Jews brought to the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) a man and a woman who had 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.” [Bukhari]

8. The most suited person to lead the Janazah Salah is the Muslim ruler (if present) then the Qadhi (Judge), then the Imam of the locality, then the guardian of the deceased, then the blood relative of the deceased.

عَنْ سَالِمٍ ، قَالَ : أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو حَازِمٍ ، قَالَ : رَأَيْتُ الْحُسَيْنَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يَقُولُ لِسَعِيدِ بْنِ الْعَاصِ حِينَ مَاتَ الْحَسَنُ : ” تَقَدَّمْ فَلَوْلا أَنَّهَا سُنَّةٌ مَا تَقَدَّمْتُ

Abu Hazim (RA) said, “Verily I was present on the day of Hasan Ibn Ali (RA)’s death and I heard Hussain Ibn Ali (RA) say to Saeed Ibn Al-Aas (RA), “Go Forward (and lead the Salah) for it was not in (accordance with the) Sunnah, I wouldn’t have put you forward” [Baihaqi]

Note: If the Muslim ruler (or his representative) is not present then the order is given as stipulated in the Madhab of Abu Haneefa (RA) as quoted in Tuhfatul-Fuqaha by Al-Samarqandi (RA).

9. The Imam should arrange the people in three rows.

حدثنا ‏ ‏محمد بن عبيد ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏حماد ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏محمد بن إسحق ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏يزيد بن أبي حبيب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏مرثد اليزني ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏مالك بن هبيرة ‏ ‏قال ‏

‏قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏ما من مسلم يموت ‏ ‏فيصلي عليه ثلاثة صفوف من المسلمين إلا ‏ ‏أوجب ‏

قال ‏ ‏فكان ‏ ‏مالك ‏ ‏إذا استقل أهل الجنازة جزأهم ثلاثة صفوف للحديث ‏

Narrated Malik ibn Hubayrah (RA): The Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said: If any Muslim dies and three rows of Muslims pray over him, it will assure him (of Paradise). When Malik considered those who accompanied a bier to be a few, he divided them into three rows in accordance with this tradition. [Abi Da’ud]

10. Funeral prayers consist of four (4) Takbeers.

حدثنا ‏ ‏عبد الله بن يوسف ‏ ‏أخبرنا ‏ ‏مالك ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏ابن شهاب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏سعيد بن المسيب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ ‏رضي الله عنه ‏

‏أن رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏نعى ‏ ‏النجاشي ‏ ‏في اليوم الذي مات فيه وخرج بهم إلى المصلى فصف بهم وكبر عليه أربع تكبيرات ‏

Narrated Abu Huraira (RA) Allah’s Apostle (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) 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). [Bukhari]

11. If there are multiple bodies then:

A) The male bodies should be placed immediately before the Imam (even if it is a child)

B) Female bodies should be followed by the male bodies

حدثنا ‏ ‏يزيد بن خالد بن موهب الرملي ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏ابن وهب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏ابن جريج ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏يحيى بن صبيح ‏ ‏قال حدثني ‏ ‏عمار ‏ ‏مولى ‏ ‏الحارث بن نوفل ‏

‏أنه شهد جنازة ‏ ‏أم كلثوم ‏ ‏وابنها فجعل الغلام مما ‏ ‏يلي ‏ ‏الإمام فأنكرت ذلك وفي القوم ‏ ‏ابن عباس ‏ ‏وأبو سعيد الخدري ‏ ‏وأبو قتادة ‏ ‏وأبو هريرة ‏ ‏فقالوا ‏ ‏هذه السنة ‏

Yahya ibn Subayh said: Ammar servant of al-Harith ibn Nawfal told me that he attended the funeral of Umm Kulthum, and her son. The body of the boy was placed near the imam. I objected to it. Among the people there were Ibn Abbas, AbuSa’id al-Khudri, AbuQatadah and Abu Hurayrah. They said: This is the sunnah (established practice of the Prophet). [Abi Da’ud]

12. Imam should stand:

A) Opposite the head of the dead male

B) Opposite the middle of the dead female

حدثنا ‏ ‏داود بن معاذ ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏عبد الوارث ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏نافع أبي غالب ‏ ‏قال ‏

‏كنت في سكة المربد فمرت جنازة معها ناس كثير قالوا جنازة ‏ ‏عبد الله بن عمير ‏ ‏فتبعتها فإذا أنا برجل عليه كساء رقيق على ‏ ‏بريذينته وعلى رأسه خرقة ‏ ‏تقيه من الشمس فقلت من هذا ‏ ‏الدهقان ‏ ‏قالوا هذا ‏ ‏أنس بن مالك ‏ ‏فلما وضعت الجنازة قام ‏ ‏أنس ‏ ‏فصلى عليها وأنا خلفه لا ‏ ‏يحول ‏ ‏بيني وبينه شيء فقام عند رأسه فكبر أربع تكبيرات لم يطل ولم يسرع ثم ذهب يقعد فقالوا يا ‏ ‏أبا حمزة ‏ ‏المرأة الأنصارية فقربوها وعليها نعش أخضر فقام عند ‏ ‏عجيزتها ‏ ‏فصلى عليها نحو صلاته على الرجل ثم جلس فقال ‏ ‏العلاء بن زياد ‏ ‏يا ‏ ‏أبا حمزة ‏ ‏هكذا كان يفعل رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يصلي على الجنازة كصلاتك يكبر عليها أربعا ويقوم عند رأس الرجل ‏ ‏وعجيزة ‏ ‏المرأة قال نعم قال يا ‏ ‏أبا حمزة ‏ ‏غزوت مع رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏قال نعم غزوت معه حنينا فخرج المشركون فحملوا علينا حتى رأينا خيلنا وراء ظهورنا وفي القوم رجل يحمل علينا فيدقنا ويحطمنا فهزمهم الله وجعل يجاء بهم فيبايعونه على الإسلام فقال رجل من ‏ ‏أصحاب النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏إن علي نذرا إن جاء الله بالرجل الذي كان منذ اليوم يحطمنا لأضربن عنقه فسكت رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏وجيء بالرجل فلما رأى رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏قال يا رسول الله تبت إلى الله فأمسك رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏لا يبايعه ليفي الآخر بنذره قال فجعل الرجل ‏ ‏يتصدى لرسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏ليأمره بقتله وجعل يهاب رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏أن يقتله فلما رأى رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏أنه لا يصنع شيئا بايعه فقال الرجل يا رسول الله نذري فقال إني لم أمسك عنه منذ اليوم إلا لتوفي بنذرك فقال يا رسول الله ألا ‏ ‏أومضت ‏ ‏إلي فقال النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏إنه ليس لنبي أن ‏ ‏يومض ‏

‏قال ‏ ‏أبو غالب ‏ ‏فسألت عن صنيع ‏ ‏أنس ‏ ‏في قيامه على المرأة عند ‏ ‏عجيزتها ‏ ‏فحدثوني ‏ ‏أنه إنما كان لأنه لم تكن النعوش فكان الإمام يقوم ‏ ‏حيال ‏ ‏عجيزتها ‏ ‏يسترها من القوم ‏ ‏قال ‏ ‏أبو داود ‏ ‏قول النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يقولوا لا إله إلا الله نسخ من هذا الحديث الوفاء بالنذر في قتله بقوله إني قد تبت ‏

Nafi’ AbuGhalib said: I was in the Sikkat al-Mirbad. A bier passed and a large number of people were accompanying it. They said: Bier of Abdullah ibn Umayr. So I followed it. Suddenly I saw a man, who had a thin garment on riding his small mule. He had a piece of cloth on his head to protect himself from the sun. I asked: Who is this important man? People said: This is Anas ibn Malik. When the bier was placed, Anas stood and led the funeral prayer over him while I was just behind him, and there was no obstruction between me and him. He stood near his head, and uttered four takbirs (Allah is Most Great). He neither lengthened the prayer nor hurried it. He then went to sit down. They said: AbuHamzah, (here is the bier of) an Ansari woman. They brought her near him and there was a green cupola-shaped structure over her bier. He stood opposite her hips and led the funeral prayer over her as he had led it over the man. He then sat down. Al-Ala’ ibn Ziyad asked: AbuHamzah, did the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) say the funeral prayer over the dead as you have done, uttering four takbirs (Allah is Most Great) over her, and standing opposite the head of a man and the hips of a woman? He replied: Yes. He asked: AbuHamzah, did you fight with the Apostle of Allah? He replied: Yes. I fought with him in the battle of Hunayn. The polytheists came out and invaded us so severely that we saw our horses behind our backs. Among the people (i.e. the unbelievers) there was a man who was attacking us, and striking and wounding us (with his sword). Allah then defeated them. They were then brought and began to take the oath of allegiance to him for Islam. A man from among the companions of the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: I make a vow to myself that if Allah brings the man who was striking us (with his sword) that day, I shall behead him. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) kept silent and the man was brought (as a captive). When he saw the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him), he said: Apostle of Allah, I have repented to Allah. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) stopped (for a while) receiving his oath of allegiance, so that the other man might fulfil his vow. But the man began to wait for the order of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) for his murder. He was afraid of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) to kill him. When the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) saw that he did not do anything, he received his oath of allegiance. The man said: Apostle of Allah, what about my vow? He said: I stopped (receiving his oath of allegiance) today so that you might fulfil your vow. He said: Apostle of Allah, why did you not give any signal to me? The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: It is not worthy of a Prophet to give a signal. AbuGhalib said: I asked (the people) about Anas standing opposite the hips of a woman. They told me that this practice was due to the fact that (in the days of the Prophet) there were no cupola-shaped structures over the biers of women. So the imam used to stand opposite the hips of a woman to hide her from the people. [Abi Da’ud]

13. Make the intention for Janaza Salah before starting, “I am performing Janaza Salah for Allah (SWT) with four Takbeers”. The intention does not need to be verbally uttered, it is simply done within the heart.

حدثنا ‏ ‏الحميدي عبد الله بن الزبير ‏ ‏قال حدثنا ‏ ‏سفيان ‏ ‏قال حدثنا ‏ ‏يحيى بن سعيد الأنصاري ‏ ‏قال أخبرني ‏ ‏محمد بن إبراهيم التيمي ‏ ‏أنه سمع ‏ ‏علقمة بن وقاص الليثي ‏ ‏يقول سمعت ‏ ‏عمر بن الخطاب ‏ ‏رضي الله عنه ‏ ‏على المنبر ‏

‏قال سمعت رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يقول ‏ ‏إنما الأعمال ‏ ‏بالنيات ‏ ‏وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى فمن كانت هجرته إلى دنيا ‏ ‏يصيبها ‏ ‏أو إلى امرأة ينكحها فهجرته إلى ما هاجر إليه ‏

Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA): Allah’s Apostle (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intention and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Apostle, then his emigration was for Allah and His Apostle. And whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.” [Bukhari]

14. The prayer begins with the first Takbeer i.e. Takbeeratul-Ihraam after which the hands are tied (as in normal prayer) and Thana is read.

سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك تبارك اسمك وتعالى ‏ ‏جدك ‏ ‏ولا إله غيرك

Glory to You 0 Allah, and Yours is the Praise, and Blessed is Your Name. and Exalted is Your Majesty. and there is no other object of worship beside You.

حدثني ‏ ‏يحيى ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏مالك ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏سعيد بن أبي سعيد المقبري ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبيه ‏

‏أنه سأل ‏ ‏أبا هريرة ‏ ‏كيف تصلي على الجنازة ‏ ‏فقال ‏ ‏أبو هريرة ‏ ‏أنا لعمر الله أخبرك أتبعها من أهلها فإذا وضعت كبرت وحمدت الله وصليت على نبيه ثم أقول اللهم إنه عبدك وابن عبدك وابن أمتك كان يشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت وأن ‏ ‏محمدا ‏ ‏عبدك ورسولك وأنت أعلم به اللهم إن كان محسنا فزد في إحسانه وإن كان مسيئا فتجاوز عن سيئاته اللهم لا تحرمنا أجره ولا تفتنا بعده ‏

Said ibn Abi Said al-Maqburi (RA) narrates from from his father that he (RA) had asked Abu Hurayra (RA) , “How do you pray over the dead?” and Abu Hurayra (RA) replied, “By the Life of Allah, I will tell you! I follow with the family and when the corpse is put down I say ‘Allah is greater’ and praise Allah and ask for blessings on His Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam). Then I say, ‘O Allah, he is Your slave and the son of Your male slave and Your female slave. He used to testify that there is no god but You and that Muhammad is Your slave and Your Messenger, and You know that best. O Allah, if he acted well, then increase for him his good action, and if he acted wrongly, then overlook his wrong actions. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward, and do not try us after him.'” [Muwatta Imam Malik (RA)]

Imam Malik (RA) narrates that verily in our city of Madina it is not the practise to read Al-Fatiha in Janaza Salah [Bidayatul-Mujtahid]

Note: The common position of Ulama within the Hanafi Madhab is quoted, however there are scholars e.g. Imam Shurunabli (RA), Sahib-Nurul-Aida & Shaykh Abdul-Haq Lakhnawi (RA) who consider it superior to recite Al-Fatiha in Janaza Salah [Kitabul-Janaiz by Abdur-Rahman Mubarpuri (RA)]. Hanafee Scholars explain that in the Ahadeeth where it has been narrated from the Sahaba (RA) that Al-Fatiha was read in Janazah Salah, it was read as a dua (prayer) and not as Tilawa and there is nothing wrong with reading Al-Fatiha as a dua. [Bazlul-Majhood]

سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك تبارك اسمك وتعالى ‏ ‏جدك ‏ ‏ولا إله غيرك

15. The Imam then recites the second Takbeer but hands will not be raised as it is only done the first time.

عبد الرزاق ، عن الثوري ، عمن سمع الحسن بن عبيد الله ، عن إبراهيم أنه كان يرفع يديه في أول تكبيرة في الصلاة على الميت ثم لا يرفع بعد ” .

Ubaydullah (RA) narrated that Ibraheem Nakhai (RA) used to raise his hands on the first Takbeer and then he did not raise his hands. [Al-Musannaf Abdur-Razzaq]

16. Durood (Salat-Alan-Nabi) should be recited after the second Takbeer.

اللهم صل على ‏ ‏محمد ‏ ‏وعلى آل ‏ ‏محمد ‏ ‏كما صليت على آل ‏ ‏إبراهيم ‏ ‏إنك حميد مجيد اللهم بارك على ‏ ‏محمد ‏ ‏وعلى آل ‏ ‏محمد ‏ ‏كما باركت على آل ‏ ‏إبراهيم ‏ ‏إنك حميد مجيد

عن أبي أمامة بن سهل، أنه أخبره رجل من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، أن السنة في الصلاة على الجنازة أن يكبّر الإمام، ثم يقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب بعد التكبيرة الأولى سراً في نفسه، ثم يصلي على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، ويخلص الدعاء في الجنازة في التكبيرات، ولا يقرأ في شيء منهن، ثم يسلم سراً في نفسه

Imam Shaf’ae (RA) has in his Musnad narrated from Abu Umamah ibn Sahl that one of the Companions of the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) told him that when offering a (funeral) prayer it is sunnah for the imam to say aloud Allahu Akbar (first opening takbir), then to recite al-Fatihah silently in his heart, and then send salutations to the Prophet (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam), and then pray for forgiveness of the deceased. Nothing else is to be recited in between takbeers. Finally, he should end his prayer with salutations in his heart. [Musnad of Imam Shaf’ae (RA)]

17. The Imam then recites the third Takbeer and dua (prayer) should be made for the deceased adult (male or female).

‏اللهم اغفر لحينا وميتنا وصغيرنا وكبيرنا وذكرنا وأنثانا وشاهدنا وغائبنا اللهم من أحييته منا فأحيه على الإيمان ومن توفيته منا فتوفه على الإسلام اللهم لا تحرمنا أجره ولا تضلنا بعده ‏

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.

حدثنا ‏ ‏موسى بن مروان الرقي ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏شعيب يعني ابن إسحق ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏الأوزاعي ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏يحيى بن أبي كثير ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي سلمة ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ ‏قال ‏

‏صلى رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏على جنازة فقال ‏ ‏اللهم اغفر لحينا وميتنا وصغيرنا وكبيرنا وذكرنا وأنثانا وشاهدنا وغائبنا اللهم من أحييته منا فأحيه على الإيمان ومن توفيته منا فتوفه على الإسلام اللهم لا تحرمنا أجره ولا تضلنا بعده ‏

Narrated Abu Hurayrah (RA): When the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) 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. [Abu Dawud]

Note: There are other duas also narrated in the Sunnah and any of them can be recited, Insha’Allah.

18. If the deceased is a child then the following dua can be recited

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْهُ لَنَا فَرَطًا ، وَذُخْرًا وَسَلَفًا وَأَجْرًا

O Allah, make him (or her) a means of happiness, treasure, forerunner and reward or us.

عن أبي هريرة: أنه كان يصلي على المنفوس الذي لم يعمل خطيئة قط ويقول: اللهم اجعله لنا سلفاً وفرطاً وذخراً

Narrated Abu Hurayrah (RA): Verily we prayed upon a soul which had never committed any sins and we said, “O Allah! Make him our forerunner and make him (a means of) reward for us and a treasure.”. [Baihaqi]

19. The Imam then recites the fourth Takbeer and concludes the prayer by doing Salam on both sides.

عبد الله بن مسعود : ” ثلاث خلال كان الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم يفعلهن, تركهن الناس , إحداهن التسليم على الجنازة مثل التسليم في الصلاة

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. [Baihiqi]

20. The bier should be carried from all sides.

حدثنا حميد بن مسعدة حدثنا حماد بن زيد عن منصور عن عبيد بن نسطاس عن أبي عبيدة قال قال عبد الله بن مسعود من اتبع جنازة فليحمل بجوانب السرير كلها فإنه من السنة ثم إن شاء فليتطوع وإن شاء فليدع

Abdullah Ibn Masood (RA) says, “Whosoever follows a funeral procession should carry the bier from all sides for this is the Sunnah of Rasul-ullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). [Ibn Majah]

21. The bier should be carried at a brisk pace.

عن أبي هريرة رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنهُ عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: (أسرعوا بالجنازة فإن تك صالحة فخير تقدمونها إليه، وإن تك سوى ذلك فشر تضعونه عن رقابكم) مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيهِ.

Narrated Abu Huraira (RA): The Prophet said, “Hurry up with the dead body for if it was righteous, you are forwarding it to welfare; and if it was otherwise, then you are putting off an evil thing down your necks.” [Bukhari & Muslim]