Ruling on reciting al-Faatihah in the funeral prayer

 

What is the status/class of Hadith: Nafi' reported that Abdullah Ibn Umar did not use to recite (Fateha) over the dead person. (Muwatta Imam Malik).

Praise be to Allaah.

This report is of the highest degree of soundness. Imam
Maalik narrated it in al-Muwatta’ (535) from Naafi’ from ‘Ibn ‘Umar,
and this is what some of the scholars called al-silsilah al-dhahabiyyah (the
golden chain), which is the soundest, or one of the soundest, of isnaads. 

The wording is: It was narrated from Naafi’ that ‘Abd-Allaah
ibn ‘Umar did not recite in the funeral prayer. 

The meaning of the phrase “did not recite” is that he did not
recite the Opening of the Book (al-Faatihah) or anything else. This is one
of the well-known topics of dispute among the scholars. Some of them are of
the view that it is a pillar or essential part of the funeral prayer, and
others are of the view that it is not a pillar or even mustahabb. Others
adopt a middle view and say that it is mustahabb but not obligatory. This is
the view favoured by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on
him) who said: 

The scholars differed concerning recitation
of Qur’aan in the funeral prayer. There are three views. It was said that it
is not mustahabb under any circumstances, as is the view of Abu Haneefah and
Maalik. And it was that it is obligatory to recite al-Faatihah, as is the
view of some of the companions of al-Shaafa’i and Ahmad. And it was said
that reciting al-Faatihah in the funeral prayer is Sunnah, but not reciting
it and saying du’aa’ without reciting is permissible. This is the correct
view. End quote. 

Al-Fataawa al-Kubra’, 2/121 

It seems – and true knowledge belongs to Allaah – that
reciting al-Faatihah is a pillar or essential part of the funeral prayer.
This comes under the general meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “There is no prayer for the one who
does not recite the Opening of the Book.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 714;
Muslim, 595. Perhaps because Ibn ‘Umar held this view, Ibn ‘Abbaas used to
recite it out loud sometimes, although the Sunnah is to recite it quietly,
in order to demonstrate that it should be recited in the funeral prayer. He
was asked about that and he said: “So that you will know that it is Sunnah.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1249. 

His saying that it is Sunnah does not mean that it is
mustahabb, rather what he means is that it was the way of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), i.e., the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite it. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

Al-Faatihah is a pillar or essential part of the funeral
prayer, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the
Book,” and the funeral prayer is a prayer, because Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): “And never (O Muhammad) pray (funeral
prayer) for any of them (hypocrites) who dies” [al-Tawbah 9:84].  So
Allaah calls it a prayer (salaah). And Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased
with him) recited al-Faatihah in the funeral prayer, and said: “So that you
will know that it is Sunnah.” 

Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 5/401 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him)
was asked: 

What is the ruling on reciting al-Faatihah in the funeral
prayer?  

He replied: 

It is obligatory, as the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Pray as you have seen me
praying.” And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 
“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the
Book.” Saheeh – agreed upon. 

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz,
13/143 

And Allaah knows best.