What is Salat al-Janazah?
Salat al-Janazah is the communal funeral prayer for a deceased Muslim. It is performed standing and differs from the regular daily prayers.
Organisation with the family
We discuss the preferred location with the family, coordinate with a mosque or suitable place where possible, and align the timing with the burial.
Dignity and simplicity
We aim for a calm and dignified process without unnecessary display, keeping the arrangements simple and in line with recognised Islamic principles.
How is the funeral prayer performed?
If this communal obligation is fulfilled by some Muslims, the remainder of the community are relieved of it. Nevertheless, it is preferable for as many Muslims as possible to attend.
First Takbir
The Imam begins with Takbiratul-Ihram, seeks refuge with Allah from Shaytan, says the Basmala and recites al-Fatiha. According to the cited narration, it is recommended to follow it with a short surah or some verses.
Second Takbir
After the second Takbir, Salawat are recited for the Prophet ﷺ in the manner recited in the final Tashahhud.
Third Takbir
After the third Takbir, supplication is made for the deceased, taking account of gender and, where several deceased are present, the appropriate plural form.
Fourth Takbir and Taslim
After the fourth Takbir there is a brief pause. According to the ruling cited here, Taslim is then made to the right.
Stillbirth, miscarriage and unborn children
Islamic fiqh contains specific rulings for miscarriage and stillbirth. Relevant factors include whether the child showed signs of life after birth and the stage of the pregnancy.
The normal Janazah rulings generally apply: the child is washed, shrouded and the funeral prayer is offered.
Miscarriage or stillbirth without signs of life
The detailed rulings differ between the schools of Islamic law. According to a well-known view, including the Hanbali position and that adopted by many contemporary scholars, the funeral prayer is offered once four months – approximately 120 days – have been completed. This is based on the hadith describing the stages of development in the womb and the breathing of the soul.
According to this view, the funeral prayer is not offered before the completion of four months. Because the schools differ in some details, we can coordinate a specific case with the responsible imam or mosque community if requested.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3180: The narration mentions that prayer is offered for the miscarried foetus and that forgiveness and mercy are supplicated for its parents.
Open Sunan Abi Dawud 3180 →Sahih al-Bukhari 3208 / Sahih Muslim 2643: These narrations describe the stages of development in the womb and the breathing of the soul after the stated periods.
Open Sahih al-Bukhari 3208 → Open Sahih Muslim 2643a →Fiqh note: Details vary between the schools of Islamic law. The four-month rule stated here is a widely held view and a specific case should be discussed with a qualified imam or scholar.
Does the number of worshippers matter?
The funeral prayer is a communal obligation. According to the cited answer, its performance by one accountable Muslim is fundamentally sufficient. At the same time, attendance by many Muslims is expressly described as preferable.
40 or 100 worshippers
The cited narrations mention a particular virtue when a larger congregation attends: one narration refers to 100 people praying, while another refers to 40 men praying for the deceased and interceding.
Where possible, it is therefore recommended to arrange the funeral prayer in a place where many Muslims can attend.
Organisation by Al Rawda
We organise the funeral prayer together with the family and, where possible, coordinate the mosque, timing and arrangements so relatives and the Muslim community can attend.
Based on an answer of Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAziz ibn Baz (rahimahullah) and the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Legal Rulings.
Open source on islamfatwa.net →