Shumara Al-Sunnah, Jhelum
"ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها instructed that the funeral of Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ رضي الله عنه be brought into the mosque so that she could offer the funeral prayer. Some people objected to this. She responded: 'How quickly people forget! The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم offered the funeral prayer of Suhayl ibn Bayḍāʾ inside the mosque.'"
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 973]
➋ ʿAbdullāh ibn Abī Ṭalḥah رحمه الله narrates:
"Abū Ṭalḥah رضي الله عنه invited the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم upon the death of his son ʿUmayr. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came to them and offered the funeral prayer at their home. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stood as the imam, Abū Ṭalḥah stood behind him, and Umm Sulaym stood behind Abū Ṭalḥah. No one else was present."
[Sharḥ Maʿānī al-Āthār by al-Ṭaḥāwī: 1/508, al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim: 1/365 – Authentic chain]
Imām al-Ḥākim رحمه الله commented:
"This is a unique Sunnah affirming the permissibility of women offering funeral prayers."
"The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم came out and saw some women sitting. He asked: 'Why are you sitting here?' They replied: 'We are waiting for a funeral.' He asked: 'Did you perform the washing of the body?' They said: 'No.' He asked: 'Did you carry the bier?' They said: 'No.' He asked: 'Did you throw soil into the grave?' They said: 'No.' He said: 'Then return home, for you are incurring sin rather than earning reward.'"
[Sunan Ibn Mājah: 1578]
Commentary:
This narration is weak due to the presence of Ismāʿīl ibn Sulaymān al-Kūfī, and its supporting chains are also weak.
✔ Ruling:
Just like men, women are also permitted to perform the funeral prayer.◈ Evidence from the Practice of the Companions:
➊ ʿAbbād ibn ʿAbdullāh ibn al-Zubayr رحمه الله narrates:"ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها instructed that the funeral of Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ رضي الله عنه be brought into the mosque so that she could offer the funeral prayer. Some people objected to this. She responded: 'How quickly people forget! The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم offered the funeral prayer of Suhayl ibn Bayḍāʾ inside the mosque.'"
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 973]
➋ ʿAbdullāh ibn Abī Ṭalḥah رحمه الله narrates:
"Abū Ṭalḥah رضي الله عنه invited the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم upon the death of his son ʿUmayr. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came to them and offered the funeral prayer at their home. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stood as the imam, Abū Ṭalḥah stood behind him, and Umm Sulaym stood behind Abū Ṭalḥah. No one else was present."
[Sharḥ Maʿānī al-Āthār by al-Ṭaḥāwī: 1/508, al-Mustadrak of al-Ḥākim: 1/365 – Authentic chain]
Imām al-Ḥākim رحمه الله commented:
"This is a unique Sunnah affirming the permissibility of women offering funeral prayers."
❀ Clarification Regarding Women at Funeral Processions:
Sayyidunā ʿAlī رضي الله عنه narrates:"The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم came out and saw some women sitting. He asked: 'Why are you sitting here?' They replied: 'We are waiting for a funeral.' He asked: 'Did you perform the washing of the body?' They said: 'No.' He asked: 'Did you carry the bier?' They said: 'No.' He asked: 'Did you throw soil into the grave?' They said: 'No.' He said: 'Then return home, for you are incurring sin rather than earning reward.'"
[Sunan Ibn Mājah: 1578]
Commentary:
This narration is weak due to the presence of Ismāʿīl ibn Sulaymān al-Kūfī, and its supporting chains are also weak.
