The Shar‘i Ruling on Reciting Du‘ā al-Istiftāḥ in Funeral Prayer
Question:Should Du‘ā al-Istiftāḥ (the opening supplication) be recited in Salāt al-Janāzah (funeral prayer)?
Answer by:Fadhīlat al-Shaykh Saʿīd Mujtabā Saʿīdī ḥafiẓahullāh
Fadhīlat al-ʿĀlim Ḥāfiẓ Khiḍr Ḥayāt ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ General Ruling on Salāt al-Janāzah
◈ Salāt al-Janāzah is a form of prayer (ṣalāh), and its requirements—such as purification (wuḍūʼ) and facing the qiblah—are identical to other prayers.
◈ Similarly, Du‘ā al-Istiftāḥ may also be included, as there is no established prohibition against reciting it in this specific prayer.
❖ Basis for Including Du‘ā al-Istiftāḥ
◈ Just as Du‘ā al-Istiftāḥ is Sunnah in other ṣalāhs, there exists valid basis for its permissibility in Salāt al-Janāzah, considering it is still classified as a ṣalāh.
❖ Practical Application
◈ Reciting Du‘ā al-Istiftāḥ in the funeral prayer is permissible and legislated (mashrūʿ)—as long as the circumstances, especially time constraints, allow it.
Conclusion
✔ Du‘ā al-Istiftāḥ in Salāt al-Janāzah is permissible, and it falls under the same ruling as other prayers.
✔ There is no Sharʿī prohibition against it, and its inclusion is supported by the general principles of ṣalāh.
