At the time of a funeral, the religion of Islam requires the Muslim community to perform a funeral prayer, known in Arabic as the salat janaza. It is of great importance and merit not only for the deceased. So it goes without saying that you need to know exactly how to perform it. Here's a closer look at the salat janaza.
The salat janaza: what makes it special
The salat janaza is a mortuary prayer that is not performed in exactly the same way as the daily prayer. More specifically, it is a prayer that is performed entirely standing up.
As such, it does not involve bowing or prostration. What's more, the believer must say exactly 4 takbir during this prayer. In addition, it is part of the Sunnah that the imam positions himself at the level of the head of the deceased if he is a man.
And if it is a woman, he positions himself at the height of the middle of her body, according to the authentic haadiths.
So, who can perform the funeral prayer?
The janaza salat is prescribed for everyone. Both men and women. And as far as women are concerned, there is nothing wrong with her performing it at the mosque or in her home.
Indeed, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, and the women prayed over Sa`ad ibn Abî Waqqâs, on his death, in the Prophet's mosque. Thus, it is clear that the funeral prayer is prescribed for all believers. On the other hand, it should be remembered that visiting tombs and following the funeral procession is forbidden to women.
So how do you perform salat janaza precisely?
The Prophet taught us the particularities of salat janaza in its entirety. This is how it should be performed. First of all, the believer enters into prayer saying "Allahu Akbar". Then he or she seeks refuge with Allah against the cursed Shaytan.
Next, he or she recites Sura Al Fatiha alone, possibly accompanied by a few verses in a low voice. Then he repeats a Takbir before praying over the Prophet. Afterwards, he performs another takbir, and invokes for the deceased.
Finally, he performs the last takbir, makes the invocations he wishes, and performs the final salutations to the right ONLY.
When invoking for the deceased
Having gone into detail about the funeral prayer, we would like to draw your attention to the invocation for the deceased. This is reported in an authentic hadith, and it is important to know it for the sake of our brothers and sisters for whom we are praying.
In fact, according to Yazid Ibn Roukana, may Allah be pleased with him, when the Prophet rose for the salat janaza he would say: "O Allah! Your servant, the son of your servant, needs Your mercy and you have no need to punish him. If he was good, then add good deeds to him. And if he did evil, then forgive him. "Then he invoked what Allah wanted him to invoke.
The Janaza salat is certainly essential for our deceased. To go there and perform it is precious for them and for ourselves. For it certainly contains great merits in particular.
The merits of salat Janaza
First of all, the salat janaza inevitably contains a benefit for the deceased, that of being granted forgiveness by Allah The Exalted. Indeed, according to 'Abdallah Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet said:
"There is not a man on whom 100 people pray without Allah forgiving him". (Reported by Tabarani and authenticated by Sheikh Albani in Sahih Al Jami n°5716)
In addition, the praying for the deceased is granted great merits. Indeed, according to Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: " Whoever attends a funeral until the dead person is prayed over has one qirat and whoever attends until burial has two qirat". Someone said: What is two qirat? The Prophet said: "Like two huge mountains". (Reported by Mouslim in his Sahih n°945). All Knowledge belongs to Allah.