Written by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)
Question:
Can the funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) be performed at the time of sunset?Answer:
Uqbah bin Amir (رضي الله عنه) narrated:"There are three times during which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade us to pray or bury our dead: when the sun rises clearly until it ascends, when it is at its zenith until it declines, and when it inclines towards setting until it sets."
(Sahih Muslim 831, Abu Dawood 3192, An-Nasa’i 561, At-Tirmidhi 1030, Ibn Majah 1519, Abu Awanah 1/386, Al-Bayhaqi 4/32, Musnad Al-Tayalisi 1001, Musnad Ahmad 4/152)
Scholarly Opinions on Funeral Prayer During Prohibited Times
1. Opinion of Imam Al-Albani (رحمه الله):
Shaykh Al-Albani (رحمه الله) stated:"It is not permissible to perform the funeral prayer during the three prohibited times except in cases of necessity, based on the hadith of Uqbah bin Amir (رضي الله عنه)."
(Ahkam al-Jana'iz wa Bida'uha, p. 165)
2. Practice of the Companions (رضي الله عنهم):
- Delaying the Funeral Prayer Until the Prohibited Time Passes
Muhammad bin Abi Harmala narrated:
"Zainab bint Abi Salama (رضي الله عنها) passed away during the governorship of Tariq in Madinah. Her funeral was brought after the Fajr prayer and placed in Al-Baqi'. Tariq used to lead the Fajr prayer in darkness. Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما) told her family:
‘Either perform the funeral prayer now, or delay it until the sun rises high.’"
(Al-Bayhaqi 4/32, Muwatta Malik p. 188) - Funeral Prayer Delayed Until After Sunset
Ziyad reported:
"A funeral was placed in the cemetery of the people of Basra when the sun had turned yellow. No prayer was performed until the sun had set. Abu Barzah (رضي الله عنه) ordered the mu'adhin to call for prayer. He then led them in Maghrib prayer, and after that, they performed the funeral prayer. Among those present were Anas bin Malik and Abu Barzah (رضي الله عنهما), both Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ)."
(Al-Bayhaqi 4/32) - Funeral Prayer Delayed Until After Sunrise
Abdur Rahman bin Humaid bin Abdur Rahman bin Awf narrated:
"The funeral of Rafi' bin Khadij (رضي الله عنه) was brought after the Fajr prayer. Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما) said:
‘Pray for your companion now, otherwise, delay it until the sun rises.’"
(Al-Awsat by Ibn Al-Mundhir 5/396)
Rulings from Islamic Scholars
From the above narrations, it is evident that funeral prayers should not be performed during the three prohibited times:① When the sun is rising.
② When it is at its zenith.
③ When it is setting.
The following scholars hold the opinion that funeral prayer should not be performed during these times:
- Imam Ahmad, Imam Ishaq, Imam Malik, Imam Al-Awza'i, and Imam Abu Hanifa (رحمهم الله).
(See Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi 4/102)
"There is no harm in performing the funeral prayer during the prohibited times."
(Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi 4/102)
Clarification of Imam Shafi'i’s Position
Shaykh Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri (رحمه الله) explained:"If one argues that the funeral prayer is still a 'prayer' and all prayers are forbidden during these times, then how did Imam Shafi’i (رحمه الله) permit it? The answer is that, according to him, not all prayers are forbidden during these times, only those without a specific cause. Prayers that have a reason (such as funeral prayer) are permitted."
(Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi 4/103)
Conclusion
Imam Al-Khattabi (رحمه الله) stated:"Scholars have differed on whether funeral prayers and burials are permissible during these three times. Most scholars consider it disliked (makruh) to perform them during these periods. This view is held by Ata, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Awza'i, Ath-Thawri, the scholars of opinion (Ahl al-Ra’y), Ahmad, and Ishaq (رحمهم الله). Imam Shafi’i (رحمه الله), however, considers it permissible at any time of the day or night."
(Ma‘alim al-Sunan 4/327)
Ibn Al-Mundhir (رحمه الله) also endorsed this view (Al-Awsat 5/396), and the author of this article inclines toward this opinion, as it aligns with the hadith of Uqbah bin Amir (رضي الله عنه) and the practices of the Companions (رضي الله عنهم). "And Allah knows best."
Shaykh Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri (رحمه الله) summarized:
"It is permissible to perform the funeral prayer after Asr and Fajr, but it should not be done at sunrise, sunset, or at the time of the sun's zenith."
(Kitab al-Jana’iz, p. 48)
Final Verdict
✔ The majority of scholars prohibit performing the funeral prayer at sunrise, at noon (when the sun is at its peak), and at sunset.✔ Imam Shafi’i (رحمه الله) permits it at any time.
✔ The preferred opinion aligns with the majority view: The funeral prayer should be delayed until after these times unless there is an urgent necessity.
Allah knows best.