What Is The Ruling On Funeral Prayer?

What is the ruling on funeral prayer?

Funeral prayer is fardh al-kifayah (communal obligation). The primary religious duties of Muslims towards their deceased brothers and sisters are to establish their funeral prayers and make the necessary preparations for them. The fardh will be fulfilled when this prayer is established by one person either man or woman. Funeral prayer consists of praise to Allah (swt), salat to the Messenger of Allah (saw), and dua for the deceased person. It is stated in the Holy Qur’an about the hypocrites who did not go on Expedition of Tabuk without an excuse, “And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muhammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.” (Tawbah, 9/84) This verse points out funeral prayer’s being a fardh. Moreover, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said upon a Muslim’s death, “A brother of yours has died; so stand up and offer prayer for him.” (Muslim, Jana’iz, 66)

Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA