The Janazah prayer, also known as the funeral prayer, is a solemn and significant ritual in Islam. It is a final farewell to the deceased, seeking forgiveness for their sins and asking for Allah’s mercy upon their soul. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the nuances of the Janazah prayer for females, including its significance, the steps involved, and the question of whether women can actively participate in this sacred ritual.
Are Women Allowed to Perform the Janazah Prayer?
Despite various misconceptions, women are actually allowed to performed and attend the funeral prayer for both the female and male deceased. There are numerous narrations during the Prophets lifetime which clearly tell us that women would actively pray and attend funeral prayers (although unlike men, there is no obligation on them to do so).
There is also a report of the companion Ibn’ Abbas that women attended (and prayed) the funeral prayer of the Prophet (pbuh).
Narrated by Ibn Abbas:
When the body of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was prepared for burial by bathing and shrouding, it was placed on a bed. (Since the room was too small to accommodate the throngs of people, they entered in small groups): First groups of men entered and performed Funeral Prayer; they were followed by groups of women who likewise prayed; then children entered and prayed.
The above report of Ibn `Abbas has also been confirmed by similar reports from other companions of the Prophet.
Some confusion does arise from the fact that women have been discouraged from attending the graveyard processions, due to wailing and beating of the chests for the deceased being common amongst women (which is forbidden). People in various cultures mistakenly extend this discouragement of women attending the graveyard, to an outright prohibition of not allowing them to even attend the funeral prayer.
As the earlier narrations prove, this is incorrect.
Are there any differences between Janazah for Males and Females?
The core structure of the Janazah prayer remains consistent for both genders, with no difference in the prayer, dua, or posture. There are however, some additional “sunnah” or traditions that can be followed during the funeral prayer for females.
One such common sunnah, is that the imam should stand opposite the head of a male body, and opposite the middle of a female body.
There may be other such sunnah, that may differ in various school of thoughts. There is no harm in following any sunnah observed by companions of the prophet or the prophet, as long as we are aware of its status as sunnah (and not Fardh).
How to Perform the Janazah Prayer for Females:
- Intention (Niyyah): Begin by making a sincere intention in your heart to perform the Janazah prayer for the deceased.
- Takbir al-Ihram: Raise both hands and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) to commence the prayer.
- Recitation of Opening Supplication (Thana): Recite the opening supplication silently, praising Allah and seeking His blessings on the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- Recitation of Silent Prayers (Salat al-Janazah): There are four Takbirs in total. After each Takbir, specific supplications are recited silently. The sequence is as follows:
- After the first Takbir: Recite Al-Fatiha
- After the second Takbir: Send blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by reciting the Durood-e-Ibrahim.
- After the third Takbir: Make a supplication for the deceased.
- After the fourth Takbir: Conclude the prayer with Tasleem (saying “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah”)
- Final Tasleem: Turn your head to the right and say “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” to conclude the prayer.
Durood-e-Ibrahim:
Translation:
“O Allah, send peace on Prophet Muhammad and to the family of Prophet Muhammad as you sent peace on Prophet Ibrahim and the family of Prophet Ibrahim. Indeed, you are praiseworthy and glorious. O Allah, bless the Prophet Muhammad and the family of Prophet Muhammad as you blessed Prophet Ibrahim and the family of Prophet Ibrahim. Indeed, you are praiseworthy and glorious.”
Supplication for the Dead
There is no hard requirement on what dua should be prayed for the dead. This is a common prayer however, followed by many:
Translation:
O Allah! Forgive our living and our dead, those who are with us and those who are absent, our young and our old, our men and our women. O Allah, whoever you give life from among us, give him life in Islam, and whomever you take away from us, take him away in Faith.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Janazah prayer stands as a profound expression of love, respect, and supplication for the departed in Islam. Despite misconceptions, women are not only allowed but have actively participated in this sacred ritual throughout history, as evidenced by the narrations from the Prophet’s own funeral prayer.
While cultural practices may discourage women from attending graveyard processions, it is crucial to recognize that this does not extend to a prohibition of their participation in the Janazah prayer.