Funeral Prayer in islam : A funeral prayer is performed for every dead Muslim, even for those infants who have lived for a few minutes. Funeral prayer is a supplication for the forgiveness of the dead person. It has neither Ruku, nor Sajdah, nor Tashahhud.
Funeral prayer is a collective responsibility of all Muslims of the neighbourhood of the dead person. It is called Farz-e-Kifayah which means that if some of them join in, then the obligation is discharged on behalf of all.
But if no one joins in, everyone in the locality will be considered sinful before Allah. When a Muslim dies, his body is washed and cleaned of all impurities, wrapped in white cloth and placed in an open place where funeral prayers are offered.
These prayers are not offered inside the mosque, that is, the dead body is not taken inside the mosque for prayer.
It is generally offered in a ground or in the area of the mosque reserved for this purpose. Funeral prayer is offered in congregation led by the Imam, who stands in front of the dead body close to its chest.
The followers form rows behind the Imam who starts the prayer in the usual manner by saying Takbir and reciting Sana. The Muqtadis do the same. The Imam then says the second Takbir loudly and the Muqtadis say it inaudibly. The Imam and the Muqtadi both invoke blessings on the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam inaudibly.
The Imam then says the third Takbir loudly and the Muqtadis say it inaudibly. The Imam and Muqtadis then recite a prayer for the forgiveness of the living as well as the dead, inaudibly.
The Imam then says the fourth Takbir loudly and the Muqtadis say it inaudibly. He then finishes the prayer with Taslim in the usual manner. No extra supplication is needed after funeral prayer, since this prayer itself is a supplication for the dead person.
Funeral Prayer in islam