Preparing for Death (Part 6)

Question: Are there specific times during which performing the funeral prayer and burying the deceased is prohibited? Answer: There are five times generally considered disliked for prayer. Three of these are strongly disliked, effectively rendering them prohibited, while two are only slightly disliked. The three times of strong dislike are: 1. From sunrise until the sun has fully risen. 2. At the sun’s zenith (when it begins to decline after noon). 3. Just before sunset, as the sun approaches the horizon. The two times of slight dislike are: 1. After the Fajr (dawn) prayer. 2. After the Asr (afternoon) prayer. It is permissible by consensus to perform the funeral prayer and bury the deceased during the slightly disliked times (after Fajr and after Asr), as these periods are relatively long, and the funeral prayer is considered among the exceptional cases that allow it. However, during the three strongly disliked times (sunrise, zenith, and pre-sunset), performing the funeral prayer or burying the deceased is not permitted, even though these periods are short, roughly ten to fifteen minutes. This prohibition applies equally to both the burial and the funeral prayer, with the prayer specifically referring to Salat Al-Janazah. The linkage between the prohibition of the prayer and the burial indicates that the prayer in question is indeed the funeral prayer. Exceptions may be made in cases of necessity, but generally, performing the funeral prayer or burying the deceased during these times is forbidden. And Allah knows best. --- Question: Is it prescribed for followers to recite the Takbir aloud behind the Imam during the funeral prayer? Answer: Raising the voice in Takbir behind the Imam during the funeral prayer is a common practice among the general public, but it is not prescribed. Followers (ma’mum) should recite the Takbir quietly, hearing only their own voice. These Takbirs are analogous to the Takbirs of movement (intiqal) in regular prayer. Just as it is not prescribed for a follower to raise their voice during the Takbirs of movement in prayer, it is likewise not prescribed to do so during the Takbir of the funeral prayer. The Imam may recite aloud so those behind him can hear, but the ma’mum should remain silent except for hearing themselves. Followers should also not recite aloud during supplications (du’a) or taslim in the funeral prayer, as there is no evidence permitting this practice. There is no proof that followers should raise their voices in the same manner as the Imam during Salat al-Janazah. And Allāh knows best.