Reading the "sana" (Subhanakallahumma) instead of Surah Fatiha in the Janaazah Namaz

Q. According to some people, reading the "sana" (Subhanakallahumma) instead of Surah Fatiha in the Janaazah Namaz‎‎ is an innovation made by the Hanafis. Is this true?

A. According to the Hanafis, the recitation of the Surah Fatiha is not "Wajib" in the Janaazah Namaz‎‎ unlike the other namazs. What is important after the first takbeer of the Janaazah Namaz‎‎ is to glorify our Lord Allah. Any formula that promotes this approach can be read. Since Surah Fatiha contains verses related to the glorification of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala, its recitation is permissible but not essential. However, it is good to specify that the intention should not be Qira'at or Tilaawat but Du'a and the glorification of Allah Ta'ala. It is in this sense that Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahimahullah) says that it is not "Wajib" to read Surah Fatiha in the Janaazah Namaz‎‎ . He is of the opinion that it is "Sunnah" to read Sana as we will see below. Firstly, from the statement of Imam Tirmizi (Rahimahullah), it is clear that many Sahaabah (Radiyallaahu Anhum‎) are of the opinion that reciting Surah Fatiha is not essential in the Janaazah Namaz‎‎. Many 'Ulama share this opinion.

Referring to the recitation of Surah Fatiha in the Janaazah Namaz‎‎ , Imam Maalik (Rahimahullah) said:

"This practice does not exist among us (in Madinah)."

According to Mu'atta Imam Maalik, Hadhrat 'Abdullah Bin 'Umar‎ (Radiyallaahu Anhu‎ma) did not recite Surah Fatiha. This was also the practice of other Sahaabah (Radiyallaahu Anhu‎m) such as Hadhrat 'Umar‎ (Radiyallaahu Anhu‎), Hadhrat 'Ali (Radiyallaahu Anhu‎), Hadhrat 'Abu Hurairah (Radiyallaahu Anhu‎), Hadhrat Jaabir Bin Abdullah (Radiyallaahu Anhu‎) and Hadhrat Wasila Bin Asqah (Radiyallahu Anhu‎).

Among the Taabi'in, there are three of the seven Fuqaha who are of a similar opinion as Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahimahullah). They are namely Hadhrat Sa'id Bin Musayyab (Rahimahullah), Hadhrat Qasim Bin Muhammad (Rahimahullah) and Hadhrat Saalim Bin 'Abdullah (Rahimahullah). Other Taabi'in like Hadhrat Ata Bin Rabaah (Rahimahullah), Hadhrat Rabi'ah (Rahimahullah) and Hadhrat Yahya Bin Sa'eed (Rahimahullah) did not recite Surah Fatiha in the Janaazah Namaz‎‎ .

'Allaamah‎‎ Ibn Taimiyyah also said that most of the Salaf (previous 'Ulama) did not recite Surah Fatiha in the Namaz‎‎ Janaazah‎.

From what we have seen, we can say without any hesitation and without fear of contradiction that Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahimahullah) and the Hanafis are not the only ones who adopted this principle. It was also the practice of many illustrious Sahaabah (Radiyallahu anhum‎), Taabi'een and most of the Salaf. Yet some ignorant people have chosen only Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahimahullah) and the Hanafis to address their criticisms and objections, not to say insults, which are without a shadow of a doubt baseless and malicious. It is unfortunate that some people, who have only their ignorance as proof, make the elites and scholars of Islam their preferred target. Just like Hadhrat 'Umar (Radiyallahu anhu) and Hadhrat A'li (Radiyallahu anhu), as we have seen above, Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahimahullah) also did not recite Surah Fatiha in the Janaazah Namaz‎‎ . Which Muslim, worthy of the name, can accuse these two illustrious and faithful companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) of having committed Bid'ah (innovation)?

If these illustrious characters (Radiyallaahu Anhum‎), great companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), did not know how to perform Janaazah Namaz‎‎ according to the Sunnah, who will deign to say, after 1400 years, that he does it according to the Sunnah? Certainly, there are always some "Scholars" who will dare to say such nonsense. However, those who feel respect (Adab and Qadar) towards the Sahaabah (Radiyallaahu Anhum‎) and the 'Ulama will never dare to say such things.

[English version of "Lire le "sana" à la place du Sourah Faatihah dans le Namaaz‎‎ Djanaazah" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 7]