Fatwa ID: 07173

Answered by: Alimah Saniyah Bint Asrar

Question:

My friend’s nephew committed suicide Monday morning by jumping off a bridge, his body has not been recovered yet, although search continues today (day#3).

Is there guidance on performing ghaibana funeral prayer.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

According to the Hanafi Madhab, praying Janazah in the absence of the deceased’s body isn’t permissible as placing the body in front of the Imam is necessary for the Janazah prayer to be valid. The presence of the body is a requirement, ensuring that the prayer is directed appropriately and fulfills the ritual’s obligations.

However, if the body is found a couple of days later, Janazah may still be performed on it, even if the body isn’t intact, as long as the majority of the body is together in one place. This ruling provides flexibility in situations where the body may not be immediately available, acknowledging the respect and rites due to the deceased despite the passage of time or the condition of the body.

تبيين الحقائق شرح كنز الدقائق وحاشية الشلبي ١/‏٢٣٩ 

وَيُشْتَرَطُ أَيْضًا وَضْعُهُ أَمَامَ الْمُصَلِّي فَلِهَذَا الْقَيْدِ لَا تَجُوزُ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى غَائِبٍ، وَلَا حَاضِرٍ مَحْمُولٍ عَلَى دَابَّةٍ وَغَيْرِهَا، وَلَا مَوْضُوعٍ يَتَقَدَّمُ عَلَى الْمُصَلِّي. اهـ. 

فتح باب العناية بشرح النقاية ١/‏٤٤٩

ولا يُصَلَّى عندنا – وفي ظاهر مذهب مالك – على غائب، وعُضْوٍ عُلِمَ موت صاحبه، إلاَّ أن يوجد أكثر بدنه أو نصفه مع رأسه. لا مطلقًا كما قال الشافعي، معللًا بأنها دعاء، فتجوز بلا قيد حضوره، ولا وجود أكثر بدنه. كيف وقد روى الشيخان، عن أبي هريرة: «أن رسول الله ﷺ نَعَى النَّجَاشِي في اليوم الذي مات فيه، وخرج بهم إلى المُصلَّى، فصف بهم، وكبّر عليه أربع تكبيرات».

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Alimah Saniyah bint Asrar

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham