Abu Dawud

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Mushāqis:
Singular.
Mushqas:
Broad arrows.

Benefits and Issues:
The position of Umar bin Abdul Aziz and Imam Awza’i rahimahullah is that the funeral prayer (salat al-janazah) should not be performed for the one who kills himself. However, according to Imam Hasan rahimahullah, Qatadah rahimahullah, Nakha’i rahimahullah, Malik rahimahullah, Abu Hanifah rahimahullah, Shafi’i rahimahullah, and the majority of scholars, the funeral prayer should be performed for a Muslim who commits suicide. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not perform the funeral prayer as a reprimand and admonition to deter from this act and behavior, as is mentioned in the narration of Nasa’i:
(“Ana la usalli”)
“I do not perform the funeral prayer.”

However, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not prevent the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum ajma’in from performing the funeral prayer. Therefore, it is understood that for a respected and prominent person, whose absence from the prayer would have an impact on people, he should refrain from performing the prayer, while ordinary Muslims should perform the funeral prayer.

One statement of Imam Malik rahimahullah is also this, and another statement of Imam Malik rahimahullah is that the one who kills himself does not get the opportunity to repent. Therefore, due to his not having the opportunity (for repentance), the funeral prayer should not be performed for him. This means that if he is given some life in which he is able to repent, then there is nothing preventing the funeral prayer from being performed for him.