Performing Salat-ul-Janaazah in the absence of the Janaazah

Q. Recently, some people performed Salat-ul-Janaazah for a high political personality in the absence of the Janaazah. Is this permissible according to Islamic law?

A. Normally, the mayyit must be present in order to perform Salat-ul-Janaazah. In the absence of the Janaazah — such as in the case of drowning — one should not perform Salat-ul-Janaazah.

It is true that a Hadith indicates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) performed Salat-ul-Janaazah for King Najaashi, who had passed away in Abyssinia. However, it is also true that, according to the scholars of Islam, Allah Ta'ala removed the veils so that the king's Janaazah appeared before Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). It was akin to a miracle.

In a Hadith of Ibn Hibbaan, reported by Hadhrat Imraan bin Husain (Radiyallaahu 'Anhu), it is stated that when Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) was performing Salat-ul-Janaazah for the King of Abyssinia, the Sahaabah (Radiyallaahu 'Anhum) believed that the king's Janaazah was physically present in front of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). This proves that Allah Ta'ala caused the Janaazah of King Najaashi to appear before Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

The necessity of the presence of the Janaazah for Salat-ul-Janaazah, and the fact that it was the regular practice among the Sahaabah (Radiyallaahu 'Anhum), is supported by a Hadith of Tabrani. Indeed, Hadhrat Abu Umaamah (Radiyallaahu 'Anhu) reports that during the Battle of Tabuk, Hadhrat Jibra'il (Alaihis Salaam) informed Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) of the death of a Sahaabi (Radiyallaahu 'Anhu) named Mu'aawiyah bin Mu'aawiyah (Radiyallaahu 'Anhu) in Madinah. The angel Jibra'il (Alaihis Salaam) then asked Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam):

"Do you want the earth to be contracted so that you may perform his Salat-ul-Janaazah?"

When Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) expressed his wish to do so, Hadhrat Jibra'il (Alaihis Salaam) struck the earth with his wings, and the Janaazah appeared before Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) then performed the Salat-ul-Janaazah, and behind him stood two saffs (rows), each consisting of 70,000 angels.

It is noteworthy in this Hadith that Hadhrat Jibra'il (Alaihis Salaam) asked Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) whether he wished the earth to be contracted in order for him to perform the Salat-ul-Janaazah. This clearly indicates that the presence of the Janaazah was considered indispensable — otherwise, there would have been no need to contract the earth or cause the Janaazah to appear. The phrase "in order" also clearly shows that the presence of the Janaazah is a sine qua non condition for the validity of Salat-ul-Janaazah.

Before Allah Ta'ala forbade it, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), who is a rahmah (blessing) for the entire universe, did not hesitate to perform Salat-ul-Janaazah even for 'Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul, the leader of the hypocrites. However, this same Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) did not perform Salat-ul-Janaazah for Sahaabah (Radiyallaahu 'Anhum) who died elsewhere or in his absence — despite the deep love he had for them, and even though some of them were very close to him.

Without a shadow of doubt, a Nabi who had such immense affection for his Ummah would not have deprived his Sahaabah (Radiyallaahu 'Anhum) of such a privilege if it had been permissible to perform Salat-ul-Janaazah in the absence of the Janaazah.

'Allaamah Ibn Qayyim (Rahimahullah) stated that it was not the regular practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) to perform Salat-ul-Janaazah for absent mayyits, as many Muslims passed away elsewhere, and he did not perform their Salat-ul-Janaazah.

'Allaamah Ibn Rushd (Rahimahullah) mentioned that the majority of scholars are of the opinion that Salat-ul-Janaazah is not valid except in the presence of the Janaazah. The practice of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) regarding Salat-ul-Janaazah for King Najaashi was a special and exceptional case, and it is not to be applied as a general rule.

After all these explanations, it is now clear that those who performed Salat-ul-Janaazah for the high-ranking personality in question were mistaken in doing so.

[English version of "Fait la Salaat-oul-Djanaazah en l'absence du Djanaazah" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 10]