Funeral Prayer Without Ablution, Etc.

8-4-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it allowed to pray a funeral prayer without taking ablution? They say in the funeral prayer there is no Sujud nor Ruku'. Can a traveler shorten the prayer if he likes and sometimes join the congregational prayer and perform the full prayer if he likes. Is he allowed to pray a full prayer if he is a traveler?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

1) Performing the funeral prayer without ablution is not permissible, since purification is a prerequisite for the prayer. In other words, the prayer is null and void without purification. So, it is a blunder to say that prayer is permissible without ablution.

Moreover, although there is no Rukoo' nor Sujud in the funeral prayer, it is still a form of prayer that necessitates the requirements of prayer in general.

2) According to the dominant opinion among scholars of Islam, one is recommended to shorten prayer on a journey; i.e., it is not mandatory. So, it is better to shorten the prayers on a journey although one is permitted to perform one's prayers in their normal state.

However, if a traveler performs his prayer with a resident Imam; i.e., in congregation, then it becomes obligatory on him to perform the prayer in its complete and full state.

Allah knows best.

www.islamweb.net