When is the prayer for the absent one prescribed?

Question:
It has been reported that a group of people lost a friend, a relative, or a loved one. What should they do regarding the prayer for the absent one, or the prayer over the absent one? Yes?

Answer:
The correct view is that the prayer for the absent one, or the prayer over the absent one, is not prescribed except for one who holds a status in Islam, such as the mujahideen in the path of Allah, the leaders who are mujahideen in the path of Allah, the rulers who have a role in Islam, and the scholars. So, for one who has a standing in Islam, if he is far from the country in which he died, they pray for him the prayer for the absent one, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed for the Najashi, the King of Abyssinia, when he died. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was informed of it, or learned of it through revelation, so he prayed for him. He went out with his companions and prayed for him the prayer for the absent one, because the Najashi (may Allah have mercy on him) had a status in Islam. Likewise, for every one who has a status in Islam, they pray for him the prayer for the absent one if he is far from them. As for one who is in the country in which he died, they pray over his funeral if they catch it before the burial. If he is buried before they catch it, they pray over his grave, as mentioned previously. Yes.