Giving Precedence to the Local Imam for Leading the Funeral Prayer

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him, may Allah honor his face) said that the Imam has more right to lead the funeral prayer.

Hazrat Mansur says that I went to a funeral with Ibrahim, who himself was the guardian (wali) of the deceased. He sent a message to the local imam, so the imam led the funeral prayer.

Hazrat Ghanam bin Taliq narrates that Hazrat Abu Burdah attended the funeral of his slave. He instructed the local imam to step forward and lead the funeral prayer.

Hazrat Muhammad bin Saib narrates that when the son of Ibrahim Taimi passed away, Ibrahim Nakha'i attended his funeral. Ibrahim Nakha'i instructed the imam of Banu Taim to lead the funeral prayer, and then said: This is the Sunnah method.

Hazrat Muslim states that I saw Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila; he put forward Hazrat Abdullah bin Hakeem to lead the funeral prayer of his mother. He was the imam of their neighborhood.

Hazrat Suwaid bin Ghaflah states: The Imam (of the locality) has more right to lead the funeral prayer.

Hazrat Jarir states that the Imam (of the locality) will be given precedence for leading the funeral prayer.

Hazrat Aswad states that the local Imam will have precedence over funerals. This is due to the Sunnah (this is the Sunnah method).

Ibrahim narrates that I put forward Hazrat Aswad to lead the funeral prayer, (because) he was their (local) imam.

It is narrated from Hazrat Hasan bin Amr that when the son of Hazrat Abu Ma'shar passed away, the Imam was not present at that time. He said that the person who usually leads the prayer in the absence of the Imam should step forward and lead the funeral prayer.

Hazrat Salim, Hazrat Qasim, Hazrat Tawus, Hazrat Mujahid, and Hazrat Ata used to put the Imam forward for the funeral prayer.

Hazrat Hafs bin Iyath narrates from his uncle that Hazrat Talha and Hazrat Zubair attended the funeral of a close female relative. Both of them put forward the local Imam to lead the funeral prayer.

11654 - Waki‘ narrated to us from Sufyan from Mansur from Ibrahim who said: They used to bring the imams forward at their funerals.

Hazrat Hammad states that the guardian may appoint whomever he wishes to lead the funeral prayer.

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Aswad and Hazrat Alqamah state that the Imam will be brought forward for the funeral prayer.

Hasan Ubaidullah narrates that Hazrat Alqamah used to lead the funeral prayers of his neighborhood, even though he was not the imam.