Chapter on the Prayer over the Dead

From him, from Fadalah, from Abdullah ibn Sinan, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The takbir over the deceased is five takbirs.”

From him, from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad, from Ali ibn Abi Hamzah, from Abu Basir, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام: Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, pronounced five takbirs (over the deceased).”

Sa’ad ibn Abdullah from Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali from Hammad ibn Muhammad from Shu‘ayb from Abu Basir from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The takbir over the deceased is five takbirs.”

Ali ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ali ibn al-Salt from Abdullah ibn al-Salt from al-Hasan ibn Ali from Ibn Bukayr from Qudamah ibn Zaydah who said: I heard Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, say: “Indeed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, prayed (Salat Al Mayyit) over his son Ibrahim عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم pronounced five takbirs over him.”

Abdullah ibn al-Salt from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Abu Walad who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about the takbirs over the deceased. Imam عليه السلام said: “Five (takbirs).”

As for what was narrated by Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid al-Barqi from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr al-Khazzaz from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabir, who said: I asked Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about the takbir over the funeral, is there something fixed (in number) in it or not? Imam عليه السلام said: “No. The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, pronounced eleven, nine, seven, five, six, and four takbirs (over the deceased).”

Al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from Muhammad ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn Uthman and Hisham ibn Salim from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, used to pronounce five takbirs (of Salat Al Mayyit) over some people and four over others. So if He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم pronounced four takbirs over a man, he would be regarded with suspicion.” (meaning it was commanded to Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم to recite four takbir over the deceased hypocrites)

Ali ibn al-Husayn from Abdullah ibn Ja’far from Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali from Isma’il ibn Hammam from Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said that Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, prayed over a funeral and pronounced five takbirs over it, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم prayed over another and pronounced four takbirs over it. As for the one over whom Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم pronounced five takbirs; He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم praised Allah سبحانه وتعالى and glorified Him عز وجل in the first takbir, And in the second, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم supplicated for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم (himself), And in the third, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم supplicated for the believing men and believing women, And in the fourth, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم supplicated for the deceased, And He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم concluded in the fifth. As for the one over whom Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم pronounced four takbirs; He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم praised Allah سبحانه وتعالى and glorified Him عز وجل in the first takbir, And in the second, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم supplicated for the himself, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, and for his household, peace be upon them, And in the third, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم supplicated for the believing men and believing women, And He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم concluded in the fourth and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم did not supplicate for him, because he was a hypocrite.”

Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ahmad ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn Salim from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr from ‘Amr ibn Shimr who said: I said to Imam Ja’far ibn Muhammad عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “May I be your ransom, we speak in Iraq that Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, prayed over Sahl ibn Hunayf and pronounced six takbirs over him, then turned to those who were behind him and said: ‘Indeed, he was a Badri (a participant in the Battle of Badr)’.” He (‘Amr ibn Shimr) said: “So Imam Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: ‘It was not so, but Imam Ali عليه السلام prayed over him with five takbirs, then lifted him and walked with him for a while, then placed him down and pronounced five takbirs over him (again), And Imam عليه السلام did that five times, until He عليه السلام had pronounced over him twenty-five takbirs.”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from Muhammad ibn Isma’il ibn Bazi‘ from Muhammad ibn ‘Udhafir from ‘Uqbah from Imam Ja’far عليه السلام, who said: Imam Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, was asked about the takbir over the funerals. Imam عليه السلام said: “That is up to the family of the deceased whatever they wish, they may pronounce in takbirs.” It was said to Imam عليه السلام: “They (chose to) pronounce four takbirs.” Imam عليه السلام said: “That is up to them.” Then Imam عليه السلام said: “Has it (a report)not reached you that a man was prayed over by Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and Imam عليه السلام pronounced five takbirs over him until he prayed over him five prayers, pronouncing five takbirs in each (Salat Al Mayyit) prayer?” He (Uqbah) said: “Then Imam عليه السلام said: ‘Indeed, he was a Badri, ‘Uqabi, Uhudi, and he was among the naqib (leaders) whom the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, chose from among the twelve, so he had five virtues’. Therefore, Imam Ali عليه السلام prayed over him; one (Salat Al Mayyit) prayer for each virtue.”

Ali ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Kufi, whose nickname was Hamdan, from Muhammad ibn Abdullah from Muhammad ibn Abi Hamzah from Muhammad ibn Yazid from Abu Basir who said: I was sitting with Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, when a man entered and asked Imam عليه السلام about the (amount of) takbir over the funerals. Imam عليه السلام said: “Five takbirs.” Then another man entered and asked Imam عليه السلام about the prayer over the funerals. Imam عليه السلام said to him: “Four prayers.” So the first man said: “May I be your ransom, I asked you and you said five (takbirs), and this one asked you and you said four (takbirs).” Imam عليه السلام said: “You asked me about the takbirs, and this one asked me about the prayers.” Then Imam عليه السلام said: “They are five takbirs, between them are four prayers.” Then Imam عليه السلام opened his palm and said: “Indeed, they are five takbirs, between them are four prayers.”

Ali ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from ‘Ubayys ibn Hisham from al-Hasan ibn Ahmad al-Minqari from Yunus from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The prayer over the funerals; the first takbir is the opening of the prayer, the second is to bear witness that there is ‘No God but Allah سبحانه وتعالى’ and that ‘(Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى’, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, the third is the prayer upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, and upon his household, and praise of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the fourth is for (prayer for) him (the deceased), and the fifth is the salutation, And he (imam of prayer) stands for the amount of time between two takbirs and does not leave until the bier is lifted from in front of him (imam of prayer).”

As for what was narrated by Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from ‘Ubaydullah al-Qummi from Abdullah ibn Maymun al-Qaddah from Imam Ja’far عليه السلام, from his father عليه السلام: Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام said: “Indeed, Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, when He عليه السلام prayed over a deceased person, He عليه السلام would recite the ‘Fatihati al-Kitab’ (Surah al-Fatiha) and send blessings upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family.”

Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr from Musa ibn Bakr from Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام: Imam عليه السلام said: “When you pray (Salat Al Mayyit) over a woman, stand at her head; and when you pray (Salat Al Mayyit) over a man, stand at his chest.”

Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Yahya ibn Zakariyya, from his father Zakariyya ibn Musa, from al-Qasim ibn Ubaydullah al-Qummi, said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about a man who prays over a funeral alone. Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes (it is allowed).” I asked: “And what if two pray over it?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes (it is allowed), but the other should stand behind the one leading, and not stand beside him.”

Ali, from his father, from al-Nawfali, from al-Sakuni, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The Prophet, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, said: ‘The best of the rows in prayer is the front one, and the best of the rows in funerals is the last one.’ It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and why is that?” Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: “Because it becomes a screen (barrier), for the women.”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, from al-Husayn ibn Sa'id, from Fadalah, from Aban ibn Uthman, from al-Fadl ibn Abd al-Malik, said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “Is it permitted to pray over the deceased in the mosque?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes.”

Sa’ad ibn Abdillah, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Muhammad ibn Sinan, from al-Ala ibn Razin, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from one of the two Imams عليه السلام, peace be upon them: The same as that.

Sa’ad ibn Abdillah, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Yazid ibn Ishaq Sha'ir, from Harun ibn Hamzah, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “When the time of an obligatory prayer enters, begin with it before the prayer over the deceased, unless the deceased had abdominal illness (mabtun) or was a woman in postpartum bleeding (nufasa) or something like that.” (meaning to hurry and pray Salat Al Mayyit and bury such deceased with such cases)

Ali ibn al-Husayn, from Ahmad ibn Idris, from Muhammad ibn Salim, from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr, from Amr ibn Shimr, from Jabir, said: I said to Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “If I am present for the funeral prayer at the time of an obligatory prayer, which one should I begin with?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Hasten the deceased to his grave, unless you fear that the time for the obligatory prayer will pass. And do not delay the prayer over the deceased until the rising of the sun or its setting.” (meaning to hasten to bury the deceased, as possible)

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, from Musa ibn al-Qasim al-Bajali and Abu Qatadah al-Qummi, from Ali ibn Ja’far, from his brother Musa ibn Ja’far, peace be upon them, said: I asked Imam al-Kadhim عليه السلام about the funeral prayer if the sun has turned red, does it become valid or not? Imam عليه السلام said: “There is no prayer during the time of (another) prayer.” And Imam عليه السلام said: “When the sun sets, then perform the Maghrib prayer, then perform the prayer over the funeral.”

Humayd ibn Ziyad, from al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Sama'ah, from more than one person, from Aban, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “Do any of these hours prevent you from praying over the funerals?” Imam عليه السلام said, “No.”

Abu Ali al-Ash'ari, from Muhammad ibn Abd al-Jabbar, from Safwan ibn Yahya, from al-Ala ibn Razin, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام said: “The funeral prayer is performed at any hour, for it is not a prayer of bowing (ruku') or prostration (sujud). Rather, what is disliked is the prayer at sunrise and at sunset the one that contains humility (khushu), bowing (rukuh), and prostration (sujud) because sun sets between the horns of a devil and it rises between the horns of a devil.” (meaning metaphorical warning not to imitate non-Islamic or pagan rituals as they used to do)

Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad ibn Uthman, from Ubaydullah al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “There is no harm in performing the funeral prayer when the sun sets and when it rises; it is merely a seeking of forgiveness.”

As for what was narrated by al-Husayn ibn Sa'id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Aban from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Abdillah from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “It is disliked to perform the funeral prayer when the sun turns yellow and when it rises.”

Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, from al-Ala ibn Razin, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: I asked Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام: “How is the funeral prayer performed over men and women?” (meaning the congregation) Imam عليه السلام said: “The men are placed in the front where the men stand, and the women are placed behind the men.”

From him, from Muhammad ibn Sinan, from Talhah ibn Zayd, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: When Imam عليه السلام performed the funeral prayer over a woman and a man (together), He عليه السلام would place the woman in front (of the man) and the man behind (meaning closest to the imam of prayer). And when Imam عليه السلام performed the funeral prayer over a slave and a free man (together), he would place the slave in front (of the free man) and the free man behind (meaning closest to the imam of prayer). And when Imam عليه السلام performed the funeral prayer over a child and an elder (together), He عليه السلام would place the child in front (of the elder) and the elder behind (meaning closest to the imam of prayer).”

Humayd ibn Ziyad, from al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Sama'ah, from more than one person, from Aban ibn Uthman, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Abdillah, said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about the funerals of men and women, when they are gathered (prayed upon) together. Imam عليه السلام said: “The men are placed in front, this is in the ‘Book of Ali عليه السلام’, peace be upon him.” (meaning the women bier is placed, then the man, who will be closest to the imam of prayer)

Muhammad ibn Ahmad, from Ahmad ibn al-Hasan ibn Ali, from Amr ibn Sa’id, from Musaddiq ibn Sadaqah, from Ammar ibn Musa, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked regarding a man who performs the funeral prayer over two or three deceased persons (together), how should he pray over them? Imam عليه السلام said: “If they are three, or two, or ten, or more than that, let him perform one prayer over them. He (leader of prayer) should pronounce five takbirs over them, just as he does for a single deceased person. He has thus prayed over all of them. He should place one deceased person, then place the next one at the buttocks (Aliyah) of the first, then place the head of the third at the buttocks (aliyah) of the second, in a stepped arrangement (shibh al-madrar) until he finishes arranging all of them, however many they may be. Once he has arranged them like this, he should stand in the middle and pronounce five takbirs, doing just as he would when praying over a single deceased person.” Imam عليه السلام was asked, “And if they are deceased men and women?” Imam عليه السلام said: “He begins with the men, placing the head of the second at the buttocks (Aliyah) of the first, until he finishes with all the men. Then he places the head of the woman at the buttocks (Aliyah) of the last man. Then he places the head of the next woman at the head of the first woman, until he finishes arranging all of them. Once he has arranged them in this way, he stands in the middle, in the center of the men, and pronounces the takbirs and performs the prayer over them just as he does when praying over a single deceased person.” Imam عليه السلام was asked about a deceased person over whom the funeral prayer was performed, and after the imam (of prayer) had given the taslim, it was discovered that the deceased was turned around, with his feet where his head should have been. Imam عليه السلام said: “He should be straightened, and the prayer should be repeated over him. And if he had been carried away but not yet buried, then it is to be repeated. But if he has already been buried, then the prayer has passed and is not to be repeated while he is buried.”

Abu Ali al-Ash'ari, from Muhammad ibn Abd al-Jabbar, from Safwan ibn Yahya, from al-Ala, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from one of the two Imams عليه السلام, peace be upon them, said: I asked Imam عليه السلام about (Salat Al Mayyit) men and women (together), how is the funeral prayer performed over them? Imam عليه السلام said: “The man is placed in front of the women, in the position closest to the imam (of prayer), and they are lined up, one following another.”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Muhammad ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad, from Zurarah and al-Halabi: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked regarding a man and a woman (together), how is the funeral prayer performed over them? Imam عليه السلام said: “The man and the woman are placed together, and the man is positioned closest to the imam (of prayer).” (meaning Infront of the imam of prayer)

Ali ibn al-Husayn, from Abdillah ibn Ja’far, from Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar, from his brother Ali ibn Mahziyar, from al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Faddal, from Ibn Bukayr, from some of his companions, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked regarding the funerals of men, children, and women. Imam عليه السلام said: “The women are placed closest to the qiblah (furthest from the imam of prayer), the children below them, and the men below that, and the imam (of prayer) stands closest to the men.”

From him, from Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ali ibn al-Salt, from Abdillah ibn al-Salt, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad ibn Uthman, from Ubaydullah al-Halabi, who said: I asked Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام about a man and a woman, over whom the funeral prayer is performed (together). Imam عليه السلام said: “The man is placed in front of the woman, closest to the qiblah, so that the woman's head is at the level of the man's thighs, on his left side. And her head is also on the left side of the imam (of prayer), while the man's head is on the right side of the imam (of prayer).”

Ali ibn al-Husayn, from Sa’ad ibn Abdillah, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ali ibn al-Hakam and Muhammad ibn Isma'il ibn Bazi', from Hisham ibn Salim, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “There is no harm if the man is placed in front, and the woman behind, Or the woman is placed in front, and the man behind” (meaning in the funeral prayer over the deceased).

Ali ibn al-Husayn, from Sa’ad ibn Abdillah, from al-Hasan ibn Musa al-Khashshab, from Ghiyath ibn Kallub ibn Fayhas al-Bajali, from Ishaq ibn Ammar, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Indeed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, performed the funeral prayer over a deceased person. When Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم finished, a group of people came and said; ‘O Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, we missed the prayer over him.’ So the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, said: ‘A funeral is not prayed over twice. Supplicate for him and say good things’.”

Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad, from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, performed five takbirs over Sahl ibn Hunayf, who had participated in Badr. Then Imam Ali عليه السلام walked for a while (with his bier), then placed him down and performed another five takbirs over him. He عليه السلام continued doing this until he had pronounced twenty-five takbirs over him.”

Ali ibn al-Husayn, from Ahmad ibn Idris, from Muhammad ibn Sinan, from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr, from Amr ibn Shimr, from Jabir, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: I said to Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام: “What do you say if I miss a takbir or more (of Salat Al Mayyit)?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Make up what you missed.” Iasked: “Should I face the qiblah?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes, while you are following the funeral. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, went out for the funeral of a woman from Banu Najjar and prayed over her. Then Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم found the grave had not yet been prepared, so they placed the bier down. And whenever a group came, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, would say to them; ‘Pray over her’.”

Ali ibn al-Husayn, from Sa’ad ibn Abdillah, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, from al-Husayn ibn Sa'id, from Fadalah, from Aban, from al-Fadl ibn Abd al-Malik, said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “Is it permitted to perform the funeral prayer over the deceased in the mosque?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes.”

From him, from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Muhammad ibn Sinan, from al-Ala ibn Razin, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from one of the two Imams عليه السلام, peace be upon them: The same as that.

From him, from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, from Dawud ibn al-Husayn, from Fadl al-Baqbaq, who said: I asked Imam عليه السلام about the deceased, whether the funeral prayer (Salat Al Mayyit) may be performed over him in the mosque. Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes.”

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Musa ibn Talhah, from Abu Bakr ibn Isa ibn Ahmad al-Alawi, said: I was in the mosque and a funeral (bier) was brought in, and I intended to pray over it. Then Abu al-Hasan al-Awwal عليه السلام (the First), peace be upon him, came and placed his elbow against my chest and began to push me until he drove me out of the mosque. Then Imam عليه السلام said: “O’ Abu Bakr (ibn Isa), funeral prayers are not to be performed in mosques.”

Sahl ibn Ziyad, from al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Faddal, from Ali ibn Uqbah, from the wife of al-Hasan al-Sayqal, from al-Hasan al-Sayqal, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked: “How do women perform the funeral prayer if there is no man with them?” Imam عليه السلام said: “They all stand in a row, and no woman advances in front of the others.” (meaning the women leading the prayer stands in the middle of the front row)

Abu Ali al-Ash'ari, from Muhammad ibn Salim, from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr, from Amr ibn Shimr, from Jabir, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام said: “If no man is present, a woman steps forward to the center of them (in the same row), and the women stand to her right and to her left, and she is in their midst. She pronounces the takbirs until she completes the prayer.”

Ali ibn al-Hasan ibn Faddal, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Najran, from Hammad ibn Isa, from Hurayz, from Zurarah, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: I said to Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام: “May a woman lead other women in prayer?” Imam عليه السلام said, “No, except over a deceased person (Salat Al Mayyit), if there is no one more entitled than her. She stands in the middle of them in the (same) row with them, pronounces the takbirs, and they pronounce the takbirs.”

Muhammad ibn Yahya, from al-‘Amraki ibn Ali, from Ali ibn Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, from his brother Imam Musa ibn Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon them, said: I asked Imam al-Kadhim عليه السلام about a group who had pronounced one or two takbirs over a funeral, and then another body was brought and placed with it, what should they do? Imam عليه السلام said: “If they wish, they may leave the first one (at its place) until they finish the takbirs over the second. And if they wish, they may remove the first (bier) and complete the remaining takbirs over the second (bier). All of that is permissible and there is no harm in it.”

Ali ibn Ibrahim, from Abu Hashim al-Ja’fari, said: I asked Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about the crucified (person). Imam عليه السلام said: “Do you not know that my grandfather عليه السلام, peace be upon him, prayed over his uncle?” I asked: “I know that, but I do not understand it clearly.” Imam عليه السلام said: “I will clarify it for you. If the face of the crucified is toward the qiblah, then stand at his right shoulder. And if his back is toward the qiblah, then stand at his left shoulder. Indeed, between the east and the west is a qiblah. So if his left shoulder is toward the qiblah, then stand at his right shoulder. And if his right shoulder is toward the qiblah, then stand at his left shoulder. And however he is turned, do not separate yourself from his shoulders, and let your face be toward what lies between the east and the west (Qiblah). Do not face him directly, and do not turn your back to him at all.” Abu Hashim said: “And I have understood, if Allah سبحانه وتعالى wills. I have understood, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى”.

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr from Marwan from Ammar ibn Musa, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “What do you say about a group of people who were on a journey, walking along the seashore, and suddenly they came upon a dead naked man whom the sea had cast out. However, they themselves were naked, wearing nothing but loincloths. How should they pray over him (Salat Al Mayyit) while he is naked and they do not have an extra cloth to shroud him in? Imam عليه السلام said: “A grave should be dug for him and he should be placed in his lahd (side niche of the grave), and bricks (libn) should be placed over his private parts to cover his private parts, with the bricks and with stones. Then the prayer (Salat Al Mayyit) should be performed over him, then he should be buried.” I asked: “Should the prayer not be performed over him after he is buried?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The prayer (Salat Al Mayyit) is not performed over the dead after he is buried, and it is not performed over him while he is naked, until his private parts are concealed.”

Sa’ad ibn Abdillah from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Aslam from a man from the people of al-Jazirah who said: I said to Abu al-Hasan Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام: “A group was shipwrecked in the sea, and they came out walking along the shore, and suddenly they came upon a dead man; naked. However, the group had nothing on them except towels which they had wrapped around their waists, and they did not have any extra cloth to cover (shroud) the man. So how should they pray over him while he is naked?” Imam عليه السلام said: “If they are not able to find a cloth with which to cover his private parts, then they should dig his grave and place him in its lahd (grave niche), and cover his private parts with bricks (libn), or stones, or with soil. Then they should perform the prayer (Salat Al Mayyit) over him, then they should bury him in his grave.” I asked: “Should they not pray over him while he is buried, after he has been buried?” Imam عليه السلام said: “No. If that had been permissible for anyone, it would have been permissible for the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. So the prayer is not performed over someone already buried, nor over someone who is naked.”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa'id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Hisham ibn Salim: I said to Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام: “The one who drinks wine, the adulterer, and the thief, should the funeral prayer (Salat Al Mayyit) be performed over them when they die?” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes.”

Sa’ad from Ayyub ibn Nuh from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Ibrahim ibn Mihzam from Talhah ibn Zayd from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام from his father عليه السلام, peace be upon them both, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Pray over whoever dies from the people of the Qiblah, and his reckoning is upon Allah سبحانه وتعالى.”

From him, from Ahmad ibn al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Faddal from Abu Hammam Isma'il ibn Hammam from Muhammad ibn Sa'id from Ghazwan from al-Sakuni from Imam Ja’far عليه السلام, from his father عليه السلام, from his forefathers, peace be upon them, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace be upon him and his family, said: ‘Pray over the one who was stoned to death (rajm) from my nation, and over the one who killed himself (suicide) from my nation. Do not leave anyone from my nation without the funeral prayer.’”

Sa’ad ibn Abdillah from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Khalid ibn Madd al-Qalanisi from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام about a man who is eaten by a wild beast or a bird, and only his bones remain, without flesh. What should be done with him? Imam عليه السلام said: “He should be washed, shrouded, prayed over, and buried. And if the deceased is in two halves, the prayer (Salat Al Mayyit) should be performed over the half that contains his heart.”

Muhammad ibn Yahya from al-Amraki al-Bufaki from Ali ibn Ja’far from his brother Imam Musa ibn Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon them both: the same as that.

From him, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from al-Abbas ibn Ma'ruf from Talhah ibn Zayd: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The funeral prayer is not performed over a limb of a man, whether a leg, or a hand, or a head, when it is separate (from the body). But if the body is present, then pray over it, even if it is missing the head, the hand, and the leg.” (meaning the body containing the heart)

Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Abbas ibn Ma'ruf from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Abu al-Jarrah Talhah ibn Zayd from al-Fadl ibn Uthman al-A‘war from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked regarding a man who is killed and his head is found in one tribe (away from the body). Imam عليه السلام said: “His blood money (diyah) is upon the tribe in which his chest and his hands are found, and the funeral prayer is performed over him.” (meaning the place where the chest is found)

Sa’ad ibn Abdillah from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Sindi ibn al-Rabi' from Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abi Nasr from his father from Jamil ibn Darraj from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him: Imam al-Baqir عليه السلام said: “If a person is killed and only flesh, without bone, is found. Then the funeral prayer is not performed over him. But if bone is found without flesh, the funeral prayer is performed over him.”

From him, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Hasan ibn Musa al-Khasshab from Ghiyath ibn Kallub al-Bajali from Ishaq ibn Ammar from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Indeed, Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, found parts of a dead body, so they were gathered, then He عليه السلام performed the funeral prayer over them, then they were buried.”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa from Muhammad ibn Khalid from Khalaf ibn Hammad from Abdillah ibn Sinan from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “When Adam عليه السلام, peace be upon him, died and the time came to pray over him, Hibatullah (his son) said to Jibra'il عليه السلام, peace be upon him: 'Step forward, O’ Messenger (angel) of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and perform the prayer over the Prophet of Allah سبحانه وتعالى.' So Jibra'il عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى commanded us to prostrate to your father (Adam عليه السلام), so we do not go ahead of the righteous among his children, and you are among the most righteous of them.” So Hibatullah stepped forward and said takbir over him (Adam عليه السلام) five times, equal to the number of the prayers which Allah سبحانه وتعالى has made obligatory upon the nation of (Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and this became the ongoing sunnah among his children (Children of Adam عليه السلام) until the Day of Resurrection.”

Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Ahmad ibn al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Faddal from Amr ibn Sa’id al-Mada'ini from Musaddiq ibn Sadaqah from Ammar ibn Musa al-Sabati from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: I asked Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام about the prayer over the deceased. Imam عليه السلام said: “You say takbir, then you say: ‘Indeed, we belong to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and indeed to Him عز وجل we return. Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His عز وجل angels send blessings upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. O’ you who have believed, send blessings upon him and greet him with peace. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, send blessings upon (Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and the family of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, And bless Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and the family of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, just as You عز وجل sent blessings and bestowed blessings upon Ibrahim عليه السلام and the family of Ibrahim عليه السلام. Indeed, You عز وجل are Praiseworthy, Glorious. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, send blessings upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and upon the leaders of the Muslims (meaning Imams عليه السلام). O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, send blessings upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and upon the Imam عليه السلام of the Muslims. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Your servant ‘so-and-so’ (the deceased) and You عز وجل know him best. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, join him with his Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى send blessings upon him and his family, And make spacious for him his grave, And illuminate it for him, And raise his soul, And prompt him with his proof, And make what is with You عز وجل better for him. And return him to better than what he was in. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, with You عز وجل we count him, so do not deprive us of his reward and do not test us after him. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Your pardon, Your pardon.’ (Imam عليه السلام then continued) “You say all of this in the first takbir, then you say the second takbir and you say: ‘O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Your servant ‘so-and-so’ (the deceased), O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, join him with his Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى send blessings upon him and his family, And make spacious for him his grave, And illuminate it for him, And raise his soul, And prompt him with his proof, And make what is with You عز وجل better for him, And return him to better than what he was in. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, with You عز وجل we count him, so do not deprive us of his reward. And do not test us after him. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Your pardon, O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Your pardon.’ (Imam عليه السلام then continued) “You say this in the second, third, and fourth takbir. Then when you say the fifth takbir, say: ‘O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, send blessings upon (Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and the family of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, forgive the believing men and believing women. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, unite their hearts and cause me to die upon the religion of Your Messenger صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not place in our hearts any resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord عز وجل, indeed You عز وجل are Kind and Merciful. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Your pardon, O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Your pardon.’ And you give the final salutation.”

From him, from Ibrahim ibn Hashim from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from Imam Ja’far عليه السلام from his forefathers عليه السلام, peace be upon them, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “A child inherits and the funeral prayer is performed over him if he falls from his mother's womb (birth) and cries aloud. But if he does not cry aloud (stillborn), he is neither inherited from nor is the funeral prayer performed over him.”

From him, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from a man from Abu al-Hasan al-Madi عليه السلام said: I said to Imam عليه السلام: “For how old is a child prayed over (for Salat Al Mayyit), if he has reached a certain number of years or months?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The funeral prayer is performed over him in every case, unless he is miscarried before completion (birth).”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Yaqtin from his brother al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Yaqtin: I asked Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “For how old is a child prayed over (for Salat Al Mayyit), if he has reached a certain number of years and months?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The funeral prayer is performed over him in every case, unless he is miscarried before completion (birth).”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid and Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Najran from Hurayz from Zurarah: I said to Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “May a woman lead women in prayer?” Imam عليه السلام said: “No, except over the deceased, if there is no one more appropriate than her (to lead the prayer). She stands in the middle of them in the (same) row with them, and says the takbir, and they say the takbir.”

Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub from Ali ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Shirah from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from Husayn al-Marjusi from Hisham, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “The people speak to us and refute our statement that the funeral prayer is not performed over the child because he did not pray, and they ask (us): ‘The funeral prayer is only for one who has prayed?.’ So we say: ‘Yes.’ Then they ask (us): ‘What do you say if a Christian or Jew embraces Islam and then dies immediately, what is the ruling in his case?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “Say to them: ‘What do you say if someone embraces Islam just now and then slanders a person, would the prescribed punishment (hadd) be obligatory upon him for his slander?’ They will say (to you): ‘The hadd is obligatory upon him.’ Then say to them: ‘What if this child, who did not pray, were to slander a person. Would the hadd be obligatory upon him?’ They will say: ‘No.’ Then say to them: ‘You have (now) spoken the truth. The funeral prayer is only obligatory for the one upon whom the prayer and the hadd are obligatory, and it is not performed for the one upon whom neither the prayer nor the hadd are obligatory.’”

Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya from Abu Ja’far from his father from Wahb ibn Wahb from Imam Ja’far عليه السلام from his father عليه السلام, peace be upon them both: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Indeed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, prayed over a funeral. When Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم finished, a group of people came to Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and said: ‘O’ Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, we did not catch the prayer (Salat Al Mayyit) over it.’ Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: ‘The funeral is not prayed over twice, but you may supplicate for it (the deceased)’.”

From him, from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas'adah ibn Sadaqah from Imam Ja’far عليه السلام from his forefathers عليه السلام, peace be upon them: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Indeed, Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, did not wash Ammar ibn Yasir nor Hashim ibn Utbah, who was al-Mirqal. He عليه السلام buried them in their clothes with their blood,” And did not perform the funeral prayer over them.”

Ali ibn al-Hasan ibn Faddal from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, from his father عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “There is no funeral prayer over a bier, that has a woman with it.”

Ali ibn al-Hasan from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Najran and Sindi ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Walid, all from Asim ibn Humayd from Yazid ibn Khalifah, who said: I was with Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, when a man from the people of Qumm asked Imam عليه السلام and said: “O’ Abu Abdillah, do women pray over the deceased?” So Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “Indeed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, had declared the blood of al-Mughirah ibn Abi al-As to be lawfully shed,” and Imam عليه السلام narrated a long hadith, “and indeed, Zaynab the daughter of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, passed away, and (Sayyidah) Fatimah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, peace be upon her, went out with her women and prayed over her sister.”

From him, from al-Abbas ibn Amir from Abu al-Mi'za from Sama'ah from Abu Basir from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “It is not appropriate for a young woman to go out to a funeral to pray over it, unless she is a woman who has reached a older age.”

Ali ibn al-Hasan from Ahmad ibn al-Hasan from Amr ibn Sa’id from Musaddiq ibn Sadaqah from Ammar al-Sabati from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “The deceased may be prayed over, as long as he has not been covered with soil (in his grave), even if the prayer has already been performed over him.”

From him, from Muhammad ibn al-Walid from Yunus ibn Ya'qub from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I asked Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام about a funeral that I did not catch, until it reached the grave. Should I pray over it? Imam عليه السلام said: “If you reach it before it is buried, then if you wish, you may pray over it.”