Written by Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (حفظہ اللہ)
Question:
Is it permissible to perform Salat al-Janazah more than once for the same deceased person?
Answer:
It is permissible to perform Salat al-Janazah multiple times for the same deceased person.
"Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) passed by a grave where someone had been buried at night. He said: 'When was this person buried?' The companions replied: 'Last night.' He said: 'Why did you not inform me?' They replied: 'We buried him in the darkness of the night and did not want to disturb you.' He then stood up, and we aligned ourselves behind him (to pray). Ibn Abbas said: 'I was among them, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) offered the funeral prayer for the deceased.'”
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Janaiz, Chapter: Rows of Boys with Men in Funerals, Hadith No. 1321)
➋ Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضی اللہ عنہ):
"A black woman or man used to clean the mosque. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) missed them and inquired about them. The companions said: 'They have passed away.' He said: 'Why did you not inform me?' They appeared to consider her (or him) insignificant. He said: 'Show me her grave.' They led him to it, and he prayed over her. Then he said: 'These graves are filled with darkness for their inhabitants, and Allah illuminates them through my prayer over them.'”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Janaiz, Chapter: Prayer Over a Grave, Hadith No. 956)
Imam al-Malik:
"Based on this Hadith, Imam al-Shafi’i permitted repeating the funeral prayer over the deceased."
(Mirqat al-Mafatih, Vol. 4, Pg. 147)
Imam Ibn al-Mundhir:
"We narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضی اللہ عنہ) that he instructed Qarzah ibn Ka’b to lead the funeral prayer over a deceased for whom the prayer had already been performed once."
(Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir, Vol. 5, Pg. 412; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 3, Pg. 239; Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, Hadith No. 6543)
Hafiz Abdullah Muhaddith Rupuri:
"If offering Salat al-Janazah at the grave is permissible, it is even more valid when the deceased is not yet buried. Some argue that repeating the prayer is unique to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), citing that his prayer illuminates the graves. However, such arguments are weak and unfounded, as they contradict the broader understanding of Islamic principles. If the companions prayed alongside the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) after he repeated the funeral prayer, it is evidence that this is not unique to him but permissible for all."
(Fatawa Ahl al-Hadith, Vol. 2, Pg. 461-462)
Question:
Is it permissible to perform Salat al-Janazah more than once for the same deceased person?
Answer:
It is permissible to perform Salat al-Janazah multiple times for the same deceased person.
Evidence from Hadith
➊ Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضی اللہ عنہما):"Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) passed by a grave where someone had been buried at night. He said: 'When was this person buried?' The companions replied: 'Last night.' He said: 'Why did you not inform me?' They replied: 'We buried him in the darkness of the night and did not want to disturb you.' He then stood up, and we aligned ourselves behind him (to pray). Ibn Abbas said: 'I was among them, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) offered the funeral prayer for the deceased.'”
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Janaiz, Chapter: Rows of Boys with Men in Funerals, Hadith No. 1321)
➋ Narrated by Abu Hurairah (رضی اللہ عنہ):
"A black woman or man used to clean the mosque. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) missed them and inquired about them. The companions said: 'They have passed away.' He said: 'Why did you not inform me?' They appeared to consider her (or him) insignificant. He said: 'Show me her grave.' They led him to it, and he prayed over her. Then he said: 'These graves are filled with darkness for their inhabitants, and Allah illuminates them through my prayer over them.'”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Janaiz, Chapter: Prayer Over a Grave, Hadith No. 956)
Scholarly Opinions
These authentic Ahadith demonstrate that after the companions had already performed Salat al-Janazah, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) performed it again with his companions. This proves that offering the funeral prayer multiple times is permissible.Imam al-Malik:
"Based on this Hadith, Imam al-Shafi’i permitted repeating the funeral prayer over the deceased."
(Mirqat al-Mafatih, Vol. 4, Pg. 147)
Imam Ibn al-Mundhir:
"We narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضی اللہ عنہ) that he instructed Qarzah ibn Ka’b to lead the funeral prayer over a deceased for whom the prayer had already been performed once."
(Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir, Vol. 5, Pg. 412; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 3, Pg. 239; Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, Hadith No. 6543)
Hafiz Abdullah Muhaddith Rupuri:
"If offering Salat al-Janazah at the grave is permissible, it is even more valid when the deceased is not yet buried. Some argue that repeating the prayer is unique to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), citing that his prayer illuminates the graves. However, such arguments are weak and unfounded, as they contradict the broader understanding of Islamic principles. If the companions prayed alongside the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) after he repeated the funeral prayer, it is evidence that this is not unique to him but permissible for all."
(Fatawa Ahl al-Hadith, Vol. 2, Pg. 461-462)