Prayer for the Absent

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, what is the ruling on women praying the funeral prayer for a deceased person in the home? And if the deceased is seated, does the congregation not pray behind the row?

Answer:
If the funeral prayer for an absent person is prescribed, it is for both men and women. For whom is it? For men and women. This is when the absent person has a significant standing in Islam, either being one of the leaders of jihad in the path of Allah, or one of the scholars, or one of the rulers among the rulers of the Muslims. If he has a significant standing in Islam, the funeral prayer for an absent person is performed for him, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed the funeral prayer for an absent person for the Negus. However, if he is an ordinary Muslim, the funeral prayer for an absent person is not performed for him; it is sufficient to pray for him in his own land.