Five Authentic Narrations Regarding the Funeral Prayer of the Prophet ﷺ

Based on the Work of Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (حفظه الله)
Structured with Headings for Clarity and Ease

❖ The Funeral Prayer of the Prophet ﷺ​

The funeral prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was not led by any single Imam. Instead, groups of companions entered individually, offered the funeral prayer in the Prophet’s chamber, reciting takbīrāt, sending salutations, and making duʿā’, then exited, allowing the next group to enter.

❖ Evidence ①​

Narrated in multiple sources including Sunan Ibn Mājah (1234) and Dalā’il al-Nubuwwah by Bayhaqī:

When the Prophet ﷺ passed away, there was initial confusion until Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه affirmed the reality. The companions asked him:

"Shall we perform the funeral prayer?"
He replied: "Yes."
"How shall we do it?"
He said: "Groups will enter, say takbīr, pray and make duʿā’, then leave, and the next group will follow."

This method was followed until all had prayed.
Classified ḥasan by Ibn Khuzaymah, Būṣayrī, Haythamī, and Ibn Ḥajar.

❖ Evidence ②​

From Sunan al-Kubrā by Bayhaqī (4/30):
"They will come group by group and offer the funeral prayer."
Chain is ḥasan.

❖ Evidence ③​

From Shamā’il al-Tirmidhī (ḥadīth 396):

People asked:
"O Companion of the Messenger ﷺ! Will we perform his funeral prayer?"
He said: "Yes."
"How?"
"Groups will enter, say takbīr, recite duʿā’, then leave. This will continue until all have prayed."

Chain is ḥasan.

❖ Evidence ④​

Narrated by Bahz ibn Asad رضي الله عنه – Musnad Aḥmad (5/81, ḥadīth 21047):

He described how people entered group by group through one door, prayed, and exited from another. Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah رضي الله عنه was the last person to touch the blessed body, placing soil over the Prophet’s legs and saying:
"I am the last one among you to have touched the Messenger of Allah ﷺ."
Chain is ṣaḥīḥ.

❖ Evidence ⑤​

Narrated by Abū ʿUsayb or Abū ʿUsīm رضي الله عنه – Ṭabaqāt Ibn Saʿd (2/289):

"When the Prophet ﷺ passed away, they asked: How should we perform the funeral prayer?"
They said: "Enter through this door group by group, pray, and exit from the other door."
Chain is ṣaḥīḥ.

❖ Scholarly Verdicts​

• Imām al-Shāfiʿī:
  The companions did not want any single person to lead the funeral of the Prophet ﷺ due to the greatness of his status. Hence, they prayed individually, one group after another.
  (Sunan al-Kubrā by Bayhaqī: 4/30)
• Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr:
  There is ijmāʿ among historians and hadith scholars that the Prophet’s funeral prayer was performed individually by groups, not under one imam.
  (Al-Tamhīd: 24/397)
• Ibn Kathīr:
  "This practice—praying in separate groups without a single imam—is agreed upon. There is no difference of opinion."
  (Al-Bidāyah wa’l-Nihāyah: 5/232)

❖ Conclusion​

The funeral prayer of the Prophet ﷺ stands as a unique and unanimous event in Islamic history. It was performed without a central imam, out of respect and honor, with every group of companions personally offering their final salutation and duʿā’ to the Prophet ﷺ.