Some people believe that the head of the deceased must be to the right of the imam during the funeral prayer. Is this correct?
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The questioner : This questioner says in this question: “May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh. Some people believe that the head of the deceased must be to the right of the imam during the funeral prayer. Is this correct?”
The Shaykh : Do you mean during the prayer over the deceased?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is not correct. In fact, there is no difference between the head of the deceased being to the left of the imam or to the right of the imam. It is prescribed that the head of the deceased be to the right of the direction of the qiblah in the grave, because he will be placed on his right side facing the qiblah. If he is placed on his right side facing the qiblah, then the head must be to the right of the direction of the qiblah. As for the prayer over him, I do not know that anyone has said it should be to his right or to his left. The matter is broad in this regard.
The Shaykh : Do you mean during the prayer over the deceased?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : This is not correct. In fact, there is no difference between the head of the deceased being to the left of the imam or to the right of the imam. It is prescribed that the head of the deceased be to the right of the direction of the qiblah in the grave, because he will be placed on his right side facing the qiblah. If he is placed on his right side facing the qiblah, then the head must be to the right of the direction of the qiblah. As for the prayer over him, I do not know that anyone has said it should be to his right or to his left. The matter is broad in this regard.