Janazah Prayer

The funeral prayer for deceased Muslims

Rakats Breakdown

Takbirs (no ruku or sujood)

Follows the Hanafi school of thought. Minor variations may exist in other schools. All schools agree on the Fardh (obligatory) rakats.

Prayer Time

After the body is prepared and before burial

"The Prophet (ﷺ) used to hasten with the funeral and would not pray over it at the times when prayer is disliked."

— Sunan al-Nasa'i 1965

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Key Points

Fardh Kifayah (communal obligation) - if some perform it, obligation lifted from others
No ruku (bowing) or sujood (prostration)
Consists of four Takbirs with specific supplications
Should be performed before burial

Islamic Sources

"If a Muslim dies and forty men who do not associate anything with Allah stand over his funeral prayer, Allah will accept their intercession for him."

— Sahih Muslim 948

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"Whoever attends the funeral procession until he offers the funeral prayer will have a reward equal to one Qirat, and whoever attends until the burial will have a reward equal to two Qirats. It was asked: 'What are two Qirats?' He said: 'Like two huge mountains.'"

— Sahih al-Bukhari 1325

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