The Description of the Funeral Prayer

Q: What is the description of the funeral prayer?

A: The description of the funeral prayer is that the imam says takbir, seeks refuge in Allah, mentions Allah, and recites al-Fatihah. It is recommended to recite a short surah with it, such as al-Ikhlas, or al-Asr, or some verses; because it has been authentically established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) through the hadith of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) what indicates this. Then he says takbir the second time and sends blessings upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) just as he does in the final tashahhud. Then he says takbir the third time and makes du'a for the deceased with the known du'a, using the masculine form of the du'a for a man and the feminine form for a woman, and using the plural pronoun for multiple funerals gathered together. Then he says takbir the fourth time, pauses briefly, and then says taslim to his right with a single taslim. As for the opening supplication (istiftah), there is no harm in doing it and no harm in leaving it, but leaving it is better, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): the hadith.