Sharʿī Ruling on Funeral Prayer and Burial of a Stillborn Child
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Janāzah Issues, Vol. 1, p. 255
❖ Question
A few days ago, my cousin’s wife gave birth to a baby boy, but he was born dead, showing no signs of breathing or life. The question is:
◈ Is it permissible to perform ṣalāt al-janāzah for such a child?
◈ And can such a child be buried in the Muslim graveyard?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
◈ Ruling on the Funeral Prayer
- From the aḥādīth reported in al-Tirmidhī and Abū Dāwūd, it is clear that the funeral prayer for a stillborn child is permissible.
- However, other narrations clarify that this prayer is not obligatory.
This means:
- If the funeral prayer is offered for such a child, it is valid and correct.
- But it is not compulsory (farḍ) to do so.
◈ Ruling on the Burial
- Since the funeral prayer for such a child is legislated, then burying him in the Muslim graveyard is the proper sharʿī ruling.
- The principle is: Whoever may have a funeral prayer performed for him, must be buried in the Muslim cemetery.
◈ Prophetic Ḥadīth
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«عَنِ الْمُغِيْرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ اَنَّ النَّبِیَّ ﷺ قَالَ: … وَالسِّقْطُ يُصَلّٰی عَلَيْهِ، وَيُدْعٰی لِوَالِدَيْهِ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ وَالرَّحْمَةِ»
(Abū Dāwūd 3180; Aḥmad 17709, 17716)
Translation:
Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“… And the stillborn child is prayed over, and supplication is made for his parents for forgiveness and mercy.”
❖ Conclusion
◈ Performing the funeral prayer for a stillborn child is permissible but not obligatory.
◈ Such a child is to be buried in the Muslim graveyard.
Hādhā mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb. ✅
