THE METHOD OF PRAYER

Forming Rows:

# Similar to other prayers, the condition of being in a state of ablution and facing the Qibia, is also to be observed in the funeral prayer.

# In this prayer, there should be an odd number of rows; It is better to have three rows and if there are a lot of people, then the number of rows can exceed three; but if there are insufficient number of people for three rows, one or two rows will suffice(Reference Sahih Bukhari).                                                        

Hazrat Malik Bin Hubairah (RAA)said he heard the Prophet (SAW) say;

"If any Muslim dies and three rows of Muslims pray over him it will assure him (of Paradise)."(Sunan Abu Dawood)

# Praying the funeral prayer in congregation is as essential as praying obligatory (fardh) prayers in congregation.

# Three people can make up a congregation (Reference Mustadarak lil Hakim)

# If there is only one person with the Imaam (who leads the prayer), then unlike in other prayers, he will not stand next to the Imaam , but behind him (Reference Mustadarak lil Hakim)

# The greater the attendance in the funeral prayer, the better it is for the deceased.

The Prophet(SAW) said:

"If a company of Muslims to the number of hundred pray over a dead person, and all of them intercede for him, their intercession will be accepted." (Sahih Muslim).

The Prophet (SAW) also said:

"If any Muslim dies and forty men who associate nothing with Allah, stand over his prayer (they offer prayer over him), Allah will accept them as intercessors for him."(Sahih Muslim)

Leading the Prayer:

# The Imaam should stand by the head of the deceased if it is a male, and by the middle of the deceased, if it is a female. If the funeral prayer is for both male and female, then the body of the male should be kept closer to the Imaam, and the body of the female closer to the Qibla. (direction of prayer).(Musnad Ahmed)

# It is acceptable to offer one funeral prayer for several deceased; or a separate prayer for each of the deceased is also permissible.(Sunan Al-Nisai)

# There is no Adhan (call to prayer) or Iqamah ( call after which prayer starts immediately) in the funeral prayer. (Sahih Bukhari)

# There is no ruku' (bowing) or sajda (prostration). (Sahih Bukhari)

# It is preferable that the funeral prayer is done silently (in the heart).( Reference Sunan Abu Dawood)

# The funeral prayer can also be offered aloud, the evidence of which is to be found in the practices of the Prophet's Companions (RAA).

Takbeers (Saying Allahu Akbar):

# Be it during a journey or otherwise, night or day; in all circumstances, four takheers are prescribed in this prayer. (Reference Sahih Bukhari)

# The takbeers should be said in a fairly loud voice so that the people in the back rows can also hear them. The hands can be raised for every takbeer, or only for the first one; both ways are correct.

# After the first takbeer. Surah Al-Fatiha is to be read. (Joining another Surah with it is also permitted)

# After the second takbeer, Darood (the one recited in prayer after Tashahhud) is to be read.

# After the third takbeer, the prescribed supplications are made for the forgiveness of the deceased.(See last few pages of the book).

# After the fourth takbeer, it is a sunnat (tradition of the Prophet) to slowly perform the salaam (saying Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullah while turning one's head) To do salaam in both directions or to do it in only on the right side; both ways are acceptable.

What should women do?

Women can participate in the funeral prayer in mosques or places assigned for funerals, where there is a separate arrangement for women, as in the two holy Mosques. If not, instead of sitting idle in the house of the deceased and conversing about other things, it is better that they supplicate for forgiveness for the deceased by reading the prescribed du 'as.

TheTimes of Burial:

# The following times are forbidden for offering prayers and burying the dead:

1. When the sun begins to rise till it is fully up
2. When the sun is at its height at midday till it passes over the meridian.
3. When the sun draws near to setting till it sets.                  (Sahih Muslim)

# It is better to bury the dead in daytime, but if it cannot be avoided , then burial is permissible at night. (Reference Sahih Bukhai)

#After reaching the cemetery, it is forbidden for people accompanying the funeral procession, to sit down till the bier is placed on the ground. (Reference Bukhari and Muslim)