Salat al-Mayyit (Funeral Prayer)

Salat al-Mayyit (Arabic: صلاة الميت) is the funeral prayer performed over a deceased Muslim before burial. This prayer is a communal obligation (wajib kifa'i) — it is obligatory for at least one Muslim to perform it, but the obligation is lifted from the rest of the community once it is fulfilled.

In Shia fiqh, Salat al-Mayyit differs significantly from other prayers: it contains no ruku, sujud, or tashahhud. The one praying stands upright throughout and recites five takbirat with specific prayers between each. The five takbirat are accompanied by: (1) The testimony of faith (shahadatayn), (2) Salawat upon the Prophet and his family, (3) Prayer for all believing men and women, (4) Prayer specifically for the deceased, and (5) Conclusion.

Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) instructed on the correct performance of the funeral prayer in details narrated in Al-Kafi (vol. 3, Kitab al-Jana'iz). He said: "There is no ruku or sujud in it — you stand and say five takbirat." The deceased is placed in front of the one praying with the face toward Qibla and the head to the praying person's right side.

It is recommended that the funeral prayer be performed in congregation, and that as many Muslims as possible participate. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said: "If a hundred Muslims pray for a deceased person, their intercession will be accepted" (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 81). The prayer expresses the community's care for the deceased and is a final service before the believer is entrusted to Allah's mercy.