Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: No Muslim dies except that a group performs the funeral prayer over him, whose number reaches one hundred, and they intercede (pray for forgiveness) for him, and their intercession is accepted for him.

Hazrat Abi Bakr narrates that I performed the funeral prayer with Hazrat Abu Malih. He said, "Straighten the rows and intercede (pray for forgiveness) for him in a good manner." If I were given the authority to choose someone, I would have chosen him. Hazrat Abdullah bin As-Saleel narrated to me that it is reported from Hazrat Maymunah, who was his foster brother, that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is no Muslim for whom a congregation performs the funeral prayer except that intercession is made for him." Hazrat Abu Malih said that by congregation is meant forty to one hundred people.

When a funeral was brought to Hazrat Malik bin Hubairah Al-Shami, he would say to those with him, "Form three rows for these people." Then three rows would be formed, and after leading the funeral prayer, he would say, "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'There is no deceased person for whom three rows are formed except that intercession becomes obligatory for him.'"

Hazrat Asas bin Salamah narrates: For the one on whose behalf forty people intercede, their intercession is accepted. And for the one on whose behalf ten people intercede (bear witness), their testimony is accepted.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that whoever has one hundred Muslims perform the funeral prayer for him, his forgiveness is granted.