Ibn Majah

Benefit:
From this hadith, it apparently seems that standing upon seeing a funeral procession is abrogated. But this is in the case when the words (qāma) and (qumnā) are understood to imply continuity (the meaning of doing an action repeatedly), and thus it is translated as: "The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to stand upon seeing a funeral procession, so we also used to stand. Then when the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) began to sit, we also began to sit."

However, there is another possible translation: that (qāma) and (qumnā) are understood as referring to a single occurrence, so the meaning would be: "The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stood upon seeing a funeral procession, so we also stood, until the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stood, so we also stood. When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sat, we also sat."

That is, as long as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) remained standing, we also remained standing. When the funeral procession passed by and the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sat, then we also sat. In this case, standing would not be considered abrogated.

The Ruling of Standing Upon the Passing of a Funeral Procession is Abrogated

Al-Muwatta’ (narration of Ibn al-Qasim) (Al-Ithaf al-Basim), Hadith 509:

«مَالِكٌ عَنْ يَحْيَي بْنِ سَعِيْدٍ عَنْ وَاقِدِ ابْنِ سَعْدِ بْنِ مُعَاذٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ بْنِ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ عَنْ مَسْعُودِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِيْ طَالِبٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللّٰهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَقُوْمُ فِي الجَنَائِزِ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ بَعْدُ .»

It is narrated from (Sayyiduna) Ali ibn Abi Talib (radi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to stand upon seeing a funeral procession, then he (even upon seeing a funeral) would remain seated.

Authentication: Its chain is authentic.

References: Al-Muwatta’ (narration of Yahya 1/232, Hadith 552, Book 16, Chapter 11, Hadith 33), Al-Tamhid 23/260, Al-Istidhkar: 506

٭ [وأخرجه ابو داود 3175 من حديث مالك، ومسلم 962 من حديث يحييٰ بن سعيد الانصاري به]

Jurisprudential Understanding:

It is understood from this that the ruling of standing upon the passing of a funeral procession is abrogated. See the book of Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi (d. 597H): I’lam al-‘Alam ba’d Rusukhihi bi-Haqa’iq Nasikh al-Hadith wa-Mansukhihi [ص 297]

Sayyiduna Abu Umamah ibn Sahl ibn Hunayf (radi Allahu anhu) said: We used to attend funerals, and no man would sit without permission. [الموطأ 1/ 233 ح 554 وسنده صحيح]

It is narrated from Abu Hazim Salman al-Ashja’i (rahimahullah) that I was walking with Hasan ibn Ali, Abu Hurayrah, and Ibn al-Zubayr (radi Allahu anhum); when they reached the grave, they stood and conversed, then when the funeral was placed down, they sat. [مصنف ابن ابي شيبه 3/ 309 ح 11516، وسنده صحيح]

It is narrated from Sim’an Abu Yahya (a trustworthy narrator) that I saw Ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) and a man; they would sit before the funeral was placed down. [مصنف ابن ابي شيبه 3/ 310 ح 11519، وسنده صحيح]

For the original text, see:
Al-Ithaf al-Basim, Al-Muwatta’ (narration of Ibn al-Qasim), Hadith number 509

1924. Commentary: Ali radi Allahu anhu is speaking from his own knowledge and observation; otherwise, explicit narrations from the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum exist regarding the standing of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In addition to these, there are verbal narrations in which every funeral is mentioned. In comparison to these narrations, this narration of Ali radi Allahu anhu is considered less preferred according to the principles of hadith. Practice will be upon those other narrations. At most, it can be said that standing is not obligatory.

2001. Commentary: This discussion has already passed previously. See Sunan an-Nasa'i Hadith number: 1924 and those that follow.

Benefit:
In this hadith, the issue is explained that the initial ruling was to stand upon seeing a funeral procession, but later this ruling was abrogated. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali radi Allahu anhu that we saw the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam stand (upon seeing a funeral), so we also stood, and when he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sat, we also remained seated. (Sahih Muslim: 962) In Musnad Ahmad: 1/82, it is stated that « كـان رسـول الله أمرنا بالقيام فى الجنازة ثم جلس بعد ذلك وأمرنا بالجلوس » the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam commanded us to stand upon seeing a funeral, but later he sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would sit and instructed us to sit as well. From all these ahadith, it is understood that standing upon seeing a funeral procession is not necessary. This was the earlier ruling, but later it was abrogated.