✦ Ruling on Reciting Multiple Supplications in Salāt al-Janāzah & the Sunnah Method ✦
❖ Question:
Recently, a renowned scholar of the Ahl-e-Ḥadīth school claimed in an interview that no Shaykh al-Ḥadīth can prove that the Prophet ﷺ recited more than one duʿā’ in a single funeral prayer.
Does this mean it is incorrect to recite multiple supplications during Salāt al-Janāzah?
❖ Answer by:
Shaykh Khidr Ḥayāt ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Principle Regarding Supplications in Funeral Prayer:
✔ While it is generally advisable not to prolong the funeral prayer unnecessarily, especially to avoid difficulty for attendees—
✦ There is no restriction against reciting more than one duʿā’ in the same funeral prayer.
❝ The Prophet ﷺ said:
“أَخْلِصُوا لَهُ الدُّعَاءَ“
“Be sincere in making duʿā’ for the deceased.”
— And sincere duʿā’ is often reflected in variety, repetition, and length when needed.
❖ Background of the Statement by Mian Muhammad Jameel (Convenor of Tahreek Dawat e Tawheed):
His comment arose in reaction to current trends, where non-Sunnah practices have become common, such as:
◉ Lengthy speeches before Salāt al-Janāzah
◉ Use of general or culturally popular duʿās that lack authenticity
◉ Unnecessarily long janāzah prayers, causing discomfort to the congregation
Shaykh Khidr Ḥayāt notes that perhaps the statement was made in the flow of conversation or in reference to a specific incident, and should not be generalized as a universal rule.
❖ Sharʿi Balance and Moderation:
✅ It is essential to avoid extremes in religious practice.
The general principles to observe are:
◈ Consider the condition of the congregation and avoid undue hardship
◈ Stick to the authentic, Sunnah-based supplications
◈ Avoid innovative or unverified duʿās
◈ Revive the Sunnah of silent (sirri) Salāt al-Janāzah, as this reduces the chances of unnecessary prolongation and aligns with the original prophetic practice
❖ Example of Sirri (Silent) Funeral Prayer:
In the funeral of Shaykh ʿAbd al-Ra’ūf Sindhū رحمه الله,
- The janāzah was led silently, likely per his personal wasiyyah (will)
- Afterwards, no group duʿā’ was made at the grave; instead, individual supplications were encouraged
This serves as a practical example of how to combine Sunnah practice with Sharʿi etiquette.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ It is not forbidden to recite multiple duʿās in Salāt al-Janāzah.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ used various duʿās in different janāzah prayers; thus, combining them in a single prayer is permissible and even commendable, provided the prayer is not excessively prolonged.
✔ The focus should be on sincerity, authenticity, and avoiding hardship, not restricting oneself unnecessarily.
والله أعلم بالصواب
