Janaazah Salaah Upon A Deceased In Absentia

According to the Hanafi school of thought, it is not allowed to perform the Janaazah Salaah if the body of the deceased is not present. The following texts serve as a proof for this viewpoint:

in Badaa’i us Sanaa’i [[i]]:

وعلى هذا قال أصحابنا: لا يصلى على ميت غائب، وقال الشافعي: يصلى عليه استدلالا بصلاة النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم على النجاشي وهو غائب، ولا حجة له فيه لما بينا على أنه روي أن الأرض طويت له، ولا يوجد مثل ذلك في حق غيره، ثم ما ذكره غير سديد؛ لأن الميت إن كان في جانب المشرق فإن استقبل القبلة في الصلاة عليه كان الميت خلفه، وإن استقبل الميت كان مصليا لغير القبلة وكل ذلك لا يجوز.

In this regard, our scholars have stated that prayer cannot be offered for a deceased person who is absent. However, according to Imaam Shaafi’ee Rahimahullah, Salaah can be performed for them; taking proof from Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam performing Salaatul Janaazah for Najashi whilst his body was absent. Imaam Shaafi’ee’s argument is not valid, as it is mentioned that the earth was folded for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, and such an occurrence is not applicable to anyone else. Moreover, his argument is not valid because if the deceased is in the east, and he faces the Qiblah when performing Salaah upon him then the deceased will be behind him. Conversely, if he faces towards the deceased, he would not be facing the Qiblah, which is not permissible.

The above text summarizes that the Shawaafi’ use a Hadeeth wherein Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam read Salaah for Najashi. We say it was a specialty for Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and no one after him was allowed to do this.

 This point is beautifully explained in Nikaatud Duraari (Vol.2, Pg.502) which is a commentary of Bukhari Sharif:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله H نعى النجاشي في اليوم الذي مات فيه، خرج الى المصلى، فصف بهم وكبر أربعا

Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radiallau Anhu reports that Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam announced the death of Najashi on the very day that he passed away. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam then went to the place of Salaah, arranged the rows of the worshippers, and led them in Salaah with four Takbeers.

Difference of Opinion Amongst the Imaams:

1. Imaam Shaafi’ee Rahmatullahi Alaihi and Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal Rahmatullahi Alaihi state that performing a Janaazah Salaah in the absence of the deceased is always permissible. They cite the above Hadeeth as proof, which makes it evident that it is permissible since the body of Najaashi was in Abyssinia, while Rasulullaah and the Sahaabah were in Madinah. 

2. Imaam Abu Hanifah Rahimahullah and Imaam Maalik Rahimahullah state that it is not permissible to perform Janaazah Salaah in the absence of, either the entire body of the deceased, or a part of it [[ii]]. Allaamah Ibn Abdul Barr states that this is the opinion of most scholars.

Regarding the above Hadeeth, these scholars state:

• This act was an exclusive privilege of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and not permissible for anyone else.

• A narration of Hadrat Imraan bin Husain Radiallahu Anhu states that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam stated, “Your brother Najaashi has passed away, so stand and perform the Janaazah Salaah for him.” This information was a miracle, exclusive to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam as he was in Madinah Sharif and Najashi was in Abyssinia. In a like manner, the privilege of performing the Janaazah Salaah without the presence of the deceased was also exclusive to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

Why this Honour for Najaashi?

1. There were no Muslims in Abyssinia to perform his Janaazah Salaah.

2. A narration from Hadhrat Imraan bin Husain Radiallahu Anhu adds that Allah Ta’ala brought the body of Najaashi in front of the Sahaabah. This also proves that this act was exclusive to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.

3. While many Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum passed away out of Madinah, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam performed the Janaazah Salaah for Najaashi and a Sahaabi named Hadhrat Muawiyah bin Muawiyah Radiallahu Anhu in absentia. This also proves that Janaazah Salaah in absentia was uncommon and specifically for these two individuals, led only by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam himself. The Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum followed Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam by performing the Janaazah Salaah and did not do so on their own accord.

An Important Point:

Allaamah Khattaabi V has explained that when Najaashi passed away, he was the only Muslim there. As the Nabi of Allah, Rasulullaah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam was regarded as the guardian of all Muslims, and therefore obliged to perform his Janaazah Salaah and to pray for him.

 In conclusion, Salaatul Janaazah in absentia is not permissible according to the Hanafi school of thought.