The Number of Takbirs in the Funeral Prayer
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It is reported in Sahih Muslim that the takbirs in the funeral prayer are four, but other numbers have also been reported. How are these reconciled?
The most common number of takbirs the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited over a funeral was four, but it is established that he (peace and blessings be upon him) recited five, as in the hadith of Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him). Likewise, it is reported that he recited six or seven.For this reason, the scholars said: There is no harm in increasing the number beyond four, up to seven.
The best course for a person is to follow what is authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes in one way and sometimes in another: sometimes four, sometimes five, sometimes six, and sometimes seven, as the Sunnah has it. However, the most common number is four. Know that whenever the Sunnah has come in various forms, the best is to follow one form at one time and another form at another time.
The most common number of takbirs the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) recited over a funeral was four, but it is established that he (peace and blessings be upon him) recited five, as in the hadith of Zayd ibn Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him). Likewise, it is reported that he recited six or seven.For this reason, the scholars said: There is no harm in increasing the number beyond four, up to seven.
The best course for a person is to follow what is authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes in one way and sometimes in another: sometimes four, sometimes five, sometimes six, and sometimes seven, as the Sunnah has it. However, the most common number is four. Know that whenever the Sunnah has come in various forms, the best is to follow one form at one time and another form at another time.