A Discussion on the Issue of Salat al-Gha’ib (Funeral Prayer for the Absent)

Ibn Hazm stated:
“(The issue: the funeral prayer for the absent is performed by an imam and a congregation. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed over the Negus (Najashi) of Abyssinia, may Allah be pleased with him, after his death in Abyssinia, and his companions formed rows to pray with him.” This is a consensus that cannot be contradicted.”

Al-Mawardi said:
“It is permissible for the people of a town to pray over someone who died in another town. Abu Hanifa, however, ruled that this is not permissible, which contradicts the established Sunnah.” [Al-Hawi al-Kabir (3/51)]

The argument is convincing, and the evidence is solid, but this alone is not sufficient.

It is important to note that the opinion of prohibition is the view of Malik and a narration from Ahmad.

However, the issue is not in the authenticity of the evidence supporting the permissibility, but in its interpretation.

They have mentioned an act that was performed once, and there is no record of it being repeated during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his companions.

The question then arises: was this an action for a specific incident, not to be repeated in other situations, or was it for a special case, applicable only in similar circumstances, or is it a general rule for all absent deceased individuals?

Regarding the opinion of specificity, Ibn Abd al-Barr said: “Most scholars say that this was specific to the Prophet ﷺ.” [Al-Istidhkar (3/27)].

The principle is that an act cannot be considered specific to the Prophet ﷺ unless there is evidence, and I have not found strong evidence supporting this claim.

Allah knows best.

As for the view of a specific circumstance, Ibn Taymiyyah said: “The correct view is that if the absent dies in a town where the prayer is not offered for them, Salat al-Gha’ib is performed, just as the Prophet ﷺ prayed for the Negus.” [Taqrib Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah (3/443)].

It is also countered by the fact that when the Prophet ﷺ learned of the death of the woman who used to clean the mosque after she was buried, he did not pray for her from afar, but rather at her grave.

In reality, the opinion that it is specific to certain circumstances seems to be the closest to the truth, and Allah knows best.