Answered by Shaykh Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
Is it islamicaly permissible to hold multiple group funeral prayers for the same deceased individual, wherein groups of 10 come one after another, due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, offering the funeral prayer in this manner?
Answer:
In the Name of God Most Merciful, Most Kind.
Thank you/ Jazāk Allāh Khayr for contacting Mathābah with your question.
In response to your query, kindly note that holding multiple funeral prayers for the same deceased individual is permitted according to the Shāfʿīe and Ḥanbalī schools. – (See: Al-Mawsūʿah Al-Fiqhīyyah)
The Ḥanafī school only permits repetition of a funeral prayer if the funeral prayer was offered without the presence or permission of legal guardians. – (See Al-Badāiʾ Al-Ṣanāiʾ)
The Mālikī position is that the funeral prayer cannot be repeated in any circumstance, once offered. – (See: Al-Mawsūʿah Al-Fiqhīyyah)
Keeping the above positions in mind, please note the following:
- The funeral prayer (janāzah) is a communal obligation (farḍ al-kifāyah) upon believers after the passing of a muslim in their community. In other words, if some Muslims of the region conduct the funeral service, the remaining members would be absolved. Therefore, there is no requirement to repeat the funeral prayer if offered by a few.
- The objective of the funeral prayer is to seek forgiveness and pray for the deceased. If one is unable to attend a formal funeral prayer, they may seek forgiveness and pray through supplications (duʿāʾs) individually and from their own homes.
- It is emphasized in Islam, to hasten the funeral arrangements and expedite the burial without any delay. Having multiple funeral services will significantly add to the delay.
- In Canada, with the current pandemic lockdowns, cycling multiple services is legally forbidden in some cities and provinces. As Muslims, we must follow the law of the land.
- If a community wishes to repeat a funeral prayer due to pressing situations such as a pandemic lock-down, it would be allowed based on the position of the Shāfʿīe and Ḥanbalī schools. – (See: Mawsūʿat Al-Fatāwa, Dār Al-Iftā Al-Miṣriyyah). Some jurists permit the repetition, however it is deemed makrūh [disliked]. – (See: Fiqh ʿAla Madhāhib Al-Arbaʿah)
“Shaʾbi reported with reference to Ibn ʿAbbās (may God be pleased with him) that the Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him) observed prayer over a grave after the dead was buried and he recited four takbīrs over him.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
“Abū Hurayrah (may God be pleased with him) narrated regarding the story of the dark skinned woman who used to clean the mosque. The Messenger of God asked about her, and he was told that she had died. He said to them, “Why did you not inform me of her death [and funeral]?” It seems that they regarded her as an insignificant person. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him) instructed, “Show me her grave!” They showed him her grave and he offered the funeral prayer for her. – (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī)
“When the Companions wanted to dig a grave for the Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him), they sent for Abū ʿUbaydah bin Jarraḥ, who used to dig graves in the manner of the people of Makkah, and they sent for Abū Ṭalḥah, who used to dig graves for the people of Madīnah, and he used to make a niche in the graves. They sent two messengers to both of them, and they said, ‘O Allāh, choose what is best for Your Messenger.’ They found Abū Ṭalḥah and brought him, but they did not find Abū ʿUbaydah. So he dug a grave with a niche for the Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him). When they had finished preparing him, on Tuesday, he was placed on his bed in his house. Then the people entered upon the Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon him) in groups and offered the funeral prayer for him, and when they finished the women entered, and when they finished the children entered.” – (Sunan Ibn Mājah)
And Allāh Knows Best