Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta explained that performing the funeral prayer and burying the deceased during times in which prayer is generally discouraged can be valid according to Islamic jurisprudence, with details depending on the specific time involved.
The commonly discussed prohibited or discouraged periods are five: after the Fajr prayer until sunrise, from sunrise until the sun rises higher, when the sun reaches its zenith until it begins to decline, after the Asr prayer until sunset, and during sunset until it has completely set.
What Are the Prohibited Times for Prayer?
The five commonly discussed periods are:
- After Fajr until sunrise.
- From sunrise until the sun rises sufficiently above the horizon.
- At solar noon, when the sun is at its zenith, until it begins to decline.
- After Asr until sunset.
- During sunset until the sun has completely disappeared.
There are differences among Islamic jurists regarding how these periods are classified and the precise rulings that apply to different types of prayer.
Can the Funeral Prayer Be Performed After Fajr or Asr?
The jurists agree on the validity and permissibility of performing the funeral prayer after Fajr until sunrise and after Asr until sunset.
Therefore, performing the funeral prayer during either of these periods does not make the prayer invalid merely because it follows Fajr or Asr.
Funeral Prayer at Sunrise and Sunset
There is a difference of opinion concerning the funeral prayer during the three particularly restricted periods: sunrise, solar noon, and sunset.
The Shafi‘i school and a narration from the Hanbali school permit the funeral prayer during these periods when the timing occurs incidentally rather than through deliberately choosing a prohibited time.
This view considers the funeral prayer to be a prayer connected to a specific cause. Some Maliki jurists also allow it in circumstances where there is concern that delaying the burial could result in deterioration of the deceased.
Other jurists, including the Hanafi school, the Maliki position when there is no fear of deterioration, and the relied-upon Hanbali position, do not permit the funeral prayer during these three periods.
Evidence Concerning Prayer and Burial at Three Times
A narration from Uqbah ibn Amir states that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited prayer and burial during three periods: when the sun begins to rise until it has risen higher, when the sun is at its zenith until it begins to decline, and when the sun approaches sunset until it sets.
Jurists differed over how this prohibition applies specifically to the funeral prayer and burial, resulting in different legal positions.
What Is the Ruling on Burial During Prohibited Times?
The ruling concerning burying the deceased during prohibited times is likewise subject to juristic detail.
According to the position selected for fatwa by Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta, the funeral prayer may be performed at any time, including times generally regarded as prohibited, when the timing occurs incidentally and without deliberately seeking out the prohibited period.
This approach takes into consideration the need to complete the funeral rites without unnecessarily delaying the deceased.
The Selected Fatwa on Funeral Prayer
The selected fatwa position is that the funeral prayer may be performed at any time, including prohibited prayer times, when it occurs incidentally rather than through intentionally choosing such a period.
Under this interpretation, the prophetic prohibition mentioned in the narration of Uqbah ibn Amir is understood as not constituting an absolute prohibition of the funeral prayer in every circumstance.
Can the funeral prayer be performed after Fajr?
Yes. The funeral prayer after Fajr and before sunrise is considered valid and permissible according to the juristic consensus cited above.
Can the funeral prayer be performed after Asr?
Yes. The jurists agree on the validity of performing the funeral prayer after Asr and before sunset.
Can a deceased person be buried at sunrise?
There is a juristic disagreement concerning this period. The selected fatwa position permits it when the timing occurs incidentally rather than through deliberately choosing the prohibited period.
What are the three most restricted times for prayer?
They are sunrise until the sun rises higher, solar noon until the sun begins to decline, and the period immediately before sunset until the sun sets.
What is the ruling on funeral prayer during prohibited times?
The selected position permits the funeral prayer during these times when it occurs incidentally and is not deliberately scheduled to coincide with a prohibited period.
