650. Salaat Al-Janaazah

By Asma bint Shameem 

Salaat al-Janazah is the funeral prayer that is read when a Muslim passes away. 

Praying Salaat al-Janazah is a *fardh kifaayah*. 

That means that if a few in the community pray it, then the rest of the community is absolved of it’s obligation. 

But if no one does it, then the whole community is sinful. 

It is the deceased person’s *right* as a Muslim that we pray this Salaat over him, even if had committed major sins. 

And this is a source of *great reward* for the one who reads it. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:

"Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two qiraats." 

It was said: "What are the two qiraats?" 

He said: "Like two great mountains." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

*How to read Salaat al-Janazah*

Salaat al-Janazah is read *quietly* and has four takbeeraat. 

There are no rukoo or sujood and when the Imaam leads the people, the men stand in front of the women in rows just like in the regular Salaah. 

*Step by Step*

1. Raise your hands and say Allaahu Akbar 

2. Seek refuge with Allaah from the Shaytaan:

Aa’oodhu billaahi min ash-Shaytaan-nir-rajeem. 

3. Say the Basmalah:

Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem

4. Read Surah al-Faatihah. 

You HAVE to read Surah al Faatihah. If you don’t, your Salaah is not complete. 

5. Raise your hands and say Allaahu Akbar 

6. Send blessings and salutations on the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam like we do in Salaah at the end of Tashahhud:

Allaahumma sali alaa Muhammad.... all the way to the end. 

(Durood Ibraheem)

7. Raise your hands and say Allaahu Akbar 

8. Make duaa for the deceased. 

It’s best to make duaa in Arabic. 

But if you don’t know it, you can say ANY duaa in ANY language. 

You can even READ the duaa on your phone or from a book. 

9. Raise your hands and say Allaahu Akbar

10. Pause briefly then turn  

to the *right only* and say Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah. 

That’s it.  You’re done. 

Some Important points 

*Do I HAVE to Surah al-Faatihah*?

Yes. 

In order for the prayer to be valid, you *must* recite al-Faatihah. 

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: 

“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (meaning Surah al-Faatihah).” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

Sheikh ibn Baaz said:

“It is obligatory, as the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said: “Pray as you have seen me praying.” 

And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:  

“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 13/143)

What about reading the opening duaa (sana)?

It is better not to recite Duaa al-Istiftaah (opening duaa or sana) in the Janaazah prayer according to the majority of the scholars, as there’s no report of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam reading it in the Janaazah prayer. 

But if someone recites it, it is permissible. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: 

“The scholars stated that it is not recommended, and they gave the reason for that as being that the funeral prayer is supposed to be kept short, so the opening du’aa’ should not be recited.“

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen 17/119). 

Shaikh ibn Baaz said:

“As for the opening du’aa’, there is nothing wrong with reciting it and there is nothing wrong with omitting it, but *omitting it is preferable*, following the words of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam : “Hasten with the funeral.”

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn Baaz 13/141). 

*Can women pray it too*?

Yes. 

Salaat al-Janazah is to be read by men AND women. 

The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:

" *WHOEVER* attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one qiraat (of reward)...:”, 

He did NOT say “MEN ONLY”. 

If this prayer was for men only, he would have specified it. 

Some ulama are of the opinion that we should raise the hands in the first takbeer only and we don’t have to raise our hands for the other  three takbeeraat. 

So if someone does not raise their hands in the subsequent takbeeraat, their salaah is still valid. 

If the Imaam you’re following makes two salaams, meaning to the right and the left, instead of just to the right, then remember it’s important to *follow the Imaam*. 

And Allaah knows best.