Source: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02
Offering Salat al-Janazah (funeral prayer) in a mosque is permissible and valid. This ruling is supported by the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Companions (رضي الله عنهم). Hadiths and historical incidents from the lives of the Sahabah affirm that the funeral prayer can be performed inside the mosque or in its courtyard.
It is narrated from ʿA’ishah (RA) that when Saʿd ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) passed away, she ordered that his body be brought into the mosque so that she could perform the prayer over him. Some people objected to this, but she responded:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed the funeral prayer in the mosque for Suhail ibn Bayda and his brother."
(Sahih Muslim)
This hadith provides a clear precedent that the Prophet ﷺ himself offered funeral prayers in the mosque, proving that such practice is allowed.
The funeral prayers of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) and ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab (RA) were also held in the mosque, and no Companion objected. This consensus among the Sahabah serves as strong evidence for the permissibility of this practice.
According to Fath al-Bari, ʿUmar (RA)'s funeral was held inside the mosque, and Ṣuhayb (RA) led the prayer there.
① Offering Salat al-Janazah in the mosque or its courtyard is permissible, supported by authentic prophetic and companion practice.
② The narration of ʿA’ishah (RA) and the funerals of the Rightly Guided Caliphs affirm its legitimacy.
③ Thus, there is no prohibition in offering the funeral prayer in the mosque’s courtyard.
❖ The Shar‘i Ruling on Funeral Prayer in a Mosque
Offering Salat al-Janazah (funeral prayer) in a mosque is permissible and valid. This ruling is supported by the practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Companions (رضي الله عنهم). Hadiths and historical incidents from the lives of the Sahabah affirm that the funeral prayer can be performed inside the mosque or in its courtyard.
❖ Evidence from Hadith
It is narrated from ʿA’ishah (RA) that when Saʿd ibn Abi Waqqas (RA) passed away, she ordered that his body be brought into the mosque so that she could perform the prayer over him. Some people objected to this, but she responded:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed the funeral prayer in the mosque for Suhail ibn Bayda and his brother."
(Sahih Muslim)
This hadith provides a clear precedent that the Prophet ﷺ himself offered funeral prayers in the mosque, proving that such practice is allowed.
❖ Practice of the Rightly Guided Caliphs
The funeral prayers of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA) and ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab (RA) were also held in the mosque, and no Companion objected. This consensus among the Sahabah serves as strong evidence for the permissibility of this practice.
According to Fath al-Bari, ʿUmar (RA)'s funeral was held inside the mosque, and Ṣuhayb (RA) led the prayer there.
✦ Summary
① Offering Salat al-Janazah in the mosque or its courtyard is permissible, supported by authentic prophetic and companion practice.
② The narration of ʿA’ishah (RA) and the funerals of the Rightly Guided Caliphs affirm its legitimacy.
③ Thus, there is no prohibition in offering the funeral prayer in the mosque’s courtyard.
