Disapproval of Riding While Accompanying a Funeral Procession
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Riding Alongside a Funeral is Disliked (Makruh)
It is disliked (مكروه) to accompany a funeral while mounted, although permissible under certain conditions.
◈ Prophetic Example of Disapproval:
➊ Narrated from Thawbān رضي الله عنه:
A mount was brought to the Prophet ﷺ while he was accompanying a funeral,
فأبى أن يركبها فلما انصرف أتى بدابة فركب
“He refused to ride it. But when he returned from the funeral, and another mount was brought to him, he rode it.”
When asked about this, he replied:
إن الملئكة كانت تمشي فلم أكن لأركب وهم يمشون فلما ذهبوا ركبت
“Indeed, the angels were walking (with the funeral), so I could not ride while they were walking. But once they departed, I rode.”
📚 [Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2720; Kitāb al-Janā’iz: Bāb al-Rukūb fī al-Janāzah, Abū Dāwūd: 3177]
◈ Prophetic Practice of Walking and Returning Mounted:
➋ It is narrated from Jābir bin Samurah رضي الله عنه:
The Prophet ﷺ walked on foot to the funeral of Ibn Daddāḥah رضي الله عنه, but returned mounted.
📚 [Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2721, Abū Dāwūd: 3178, Muslim: 965, Tirmidhī: 1013, Aḥmad: 5/90, Nasā’ī: 4/85]
◈ Weak Narration Not to Be Used as Evidence:
The narration with the wording:
ألا تستحيون أن ملائكة الله يمشون على أقدامهم وأنتم ركبان
“Do you not feel ashamed that Allah’s angels walk on foot, while you ride?”
—is weak (ḍaʿīf) and cannot be used as evidence.
📚 [Ḍaʿīf: Ḍaʿīf Ibn Mājah: 323; Kitāb al-Janā’iz: Bāb Mā Jāʾa fī Shuhūd al-Janā’iz, Ibn Mājah: 1480, Tirmidhī: 1012]
❖ Riding is Permissible with Conditions
✔ Despite the dislike, permission exists—as seen in the narration:
الراكب يسير خلف الجنازة
“The rider should follow the funeral from behind.”
📚 [Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 2723; Abū Dāwūd: 3180]
Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله stated:
Riding is permissible provided that one follows behind the funeral procession.
📘 [Ahkām al-Janā’iz: p. 96]
✅ Conclusion
✔ Walking with the funeral is preferred, as done by the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions.
✔ Riding during the funeral procession is disliked, especially if done ahead or beside the bier.
✔ However, riding behind the funeral is permissible, and not sinful.
✔ This ruling preserves the humility and solemnity of the occasion.
