Rules Of Salat Al-Mayyit
Rule 109
It is Wajib to offer Salat al-Mayyit for every Muslim, as well as for a Muslim child, if it has completed 6 years.
Rule 110
If a child has not completed 6 years, but it was a discerning child who knew what Salat was, then according to Ihtiyat Wajib, Salat al-Mayyit must be offered for it. If it was not aware about Salat, then the prayers may be offered with the intention of ‘Raja’. However, to offer Salat al-Mayyit for a still born child is not even Mustahab.
Rule 111
Salat al-Mayyit must be offered after the dead body has been given Ghusl, Hunut and Kafan; and if it is offered before or during the performance of these acts, then it does not suffice, even if it is due to forgetfulness or on account of not knowing the rule.
Rule 112
It is not necessary for a person who offers Salat al-Mayyit to be in Wudhu, Ghusl or Tayammum, nor is it necessary that his body and dress be Tahir. In fact, there is no harm even if his dress is a usurped one. However, it is better that while offering this Salat one should observe all the formal rules which one normally observed in other prayers.
Rule 113
One who offers Salat al-Mayyit must face the Qiblah, and it is also obligatory that at the time of Salat al-Mayyit, the dead body remains on his back in front of the one reciting Salat in such a manner him that the deceased’s head is on his right and the feet are on his left side.
Rule 114
According to Ihtiyat Mustahab, the place where one stands to offer Salat al-Mayyit should not be a usurped one. Also, it must not be higher or lower than the place where the dead body is kept; however, if it is a little higher or lower then it is not a problem.
Rule 115
The person offering Salat al-Mayyit should not be far away from the dead body. However, if he is praying in congregation, then there is no harm if he is distant from the dead body but in the rows which are connected to each other.
Rule 116
In Salat al-Mayyit, one who offers prayers should stand in such a way that the dead body is in front of him, except if the Salat is prayed in Jama’at and the lines extend beyond on both sides, in which case praying away from the dead body will not be a problem.
Rule 117
According to Ihtiyat Wajib, there must be no curtain, wall, or any other obstruction between the dead body and the person offering Salat al-Mayyit. However, there is no harm if the dead body is in a coffin or in sometime similar to this.
Rule 118
The private parts of the dead body must be concealed when Salat al-Mayyit is being offered. Even if it was not possible to give a Kafan, the private parts must still be covered with a board, brick, or something similar to this.
Rule 119
A person must be standing while offering Salat al-Mayyit and should offer it with the intention of Qurbatan ‘ila Allah [seeking nearness to Allah], specifying the deceased for whom one is praying. For example, one should make an intention such as: “I am offering Salat for this deceased for the pleasure of Allah”.
Rule 120
If there is no one who is capable of praying Salat al-Mayyit while standing, then it can be offered sitting.
Rule 121
If the deceased had made a will that a particular person should lead the prayers, then according to Ihtiyat Mustahab, that person should take permission from the guardian of the deceased (to lead the Salat).
Rule 122
It is Makruh to repeat Salat al-Mayyit a number of times, unless the deceased was an ‘Alim and pious one, in which case it is not Makruh.
Rule 123
If a dead body is buried without the Salat al-Mayyit - whether it be intentionally or due to forgetfulness, on account of an excuse, or if it transpires after its burial that the prayer offered for it was void - then it is not permissible to dig up the grave for praying Salat al-Mayyit. However, there is no objection to praying with the intention of ‘Raja’ by the graveside, if one feels that the decay (of the body) has not yet taken place.
The Reward For Reciting Salat Al-Mayyit
جاء نفر من اليهود إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم فسألوه عن مسائل إلى أن قال صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم وما من مؤمن يصلي على الجنائز إلا أوجب الله له الجنة ، إلا أن يكون منافقا أو عاقا.
A group of Jews once came to the Messenger of Allah (S) and asked various questions. He (S) replied, “Anytime a true believer prays over a deceased person, Allah makes paradise obligatory on that person as long as he (the one reciting the Salat al-Mayyit) was not a hypocrite nor one who broke off ties with his parents (since in these instances, the Salat al-Mayyit, with all its benefits and rewards, will be of absolute no use to him.).1”
The Reason Why Salat Al-Mayyit Has Five Takbir
عن أبي بصير قال: قلت لأبي عبد الله عليه السلام لأي علّة نكبّر على الميت خمس تكبيرات، ويكبر مخالفونا بأربع تكبيرات؟ قال: لأن الدعائم التي بني عليها الإسلام خمس: الصلاة والزكاة والصوم والحج والولاية لنا أهل البيت، فجعل الله للميت من كل دعامة تكبيرة، وإنكم أقررتم بالخمس كلها ، وأقرّ مخالفوكم بأربع وأنكروا واحدة، فمن ذلك يكبّرون على موتاهم أربع تكبيرات، وتكبّرون خمسا.
It has been narrated from Abu Basir that once he asked Imam al-Sadiq (‘a) why the Shi’a recite five Takbirs in Salat al-Mayyit while the Sunnis only say four? The Imam replied, “Since Islam is built on five strong pillars, which include: Salat, Zakat, Sawm (Fasting), Hajj and the Wilayat of us, the Ahl Al-Bayt; therefore, Allah designated that one Takbir be recited for each of these pillars (of the religion), and our Shi’a, have confirmed their belief in each of these five pillars of Islam, while those who are opposed to us, they do not believe in our Wilayat, the fifth pillar; thus they only recite four Takbir and you recite five”.2
