Most-asked question

How is janaazah salaah performed?

144 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 9 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, AskImam, Azaadville, Ibn Masood, Jamiat KZN, Amjadi and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“According to the Hanafi school of thought, it is not allowed to perform the Janaazah Salaah if the body of the deceased is not present. The following texts serve as a proof for this viewpoint:”

Ibn Masood — Janaazah Salaah Upon A Deceased In Absentia · 6 Aug 2024

“If the deceased was buried without Salaatul Janaazah being performed, then it is permissible to perform the Salaatul Janaazah at the grave site as long as the body has not begun to decompose and is still intact. This is generally taken to be three days but could differ due to soil composition and weather. [Hindiyyah 1: 165]”

Jamiat KZN — Burial without Janaazah Salaah · 30 Nov 2023

“For women to participate in Salatul-Janazah or for that matter, to attend the men’s congregation in the Masjid for any Salaah would be Makrooh. Women should hence not join the men’s congregation in Salatul-Janazah. The mere presence of a senior member of an Islamic Organization does not sanction such an action.”

Azaadville — Women Participating In Janaazah Salaah · 27 Jun 2021

“There are two Faraaidh in Janaazah Salaah 1. To recite all the four Takbeers. 2. To stand and perform the Janaazah Salaah if one is able. Hence, if one does not recite any of the four Takbeers or one does not stand and perform the Salaah despite having the ability to stand, the Salaah will not be valid.”

Mufti Online — Faraaidh of Janaazah Salaah · 16 Jan 2017

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Is it true that if forty Muslims attend a person's Janaazah Salaah, that person is forgiven? Amjadi · 17 Jul 2026
  2. Janaazah Salaah After Asr And Fajr Ibn Masood · 23 Jun 2026
  3. Burial without Janaazah Salaah Jamiat KZN · 30 Nov 2023
  4. Making Du’a in creole in Janazah Salaah Camperdown · 31 Oct 2023
  5. Can Janazah Salah be done for someone who was cremated? AskImam · 28 Nov 2022
  6. Congregational Dua After Janaazah Salaah Azaadville · 9 Sep 2022
  7. Method of forming the saffs for janaazah salaah Mufti Online · 5 Dec 2018
  8. Should the Janaazah salaah be performed for a person who commits suicide? DU Newcastle · 26 Jan 2016
  9. Is there Janazah Salah on a missing person? MJC · 10 Aug 2023
  10. Releasing the Hands in Janaazah Salaah: Before or After Salaam? Amjadi · 17 Apr 2025
  11. Janaazah Salaah Upon A Deceased In Absentia Ibn Masood · 6 Aug 2024
  12. Performing the Janazaah Salaah after the deceased is buried Jamiat KZN · 26 Jul 2022
  13. Do females also perform Janaza salaah?? If yes, then how. With jamaat or individually Camperdown · 20 Oct 2022
  14. Women Participating In Janaazah Salaah Azaadville · 27 Jun 2021
  15. Faraaidh of Janaazah Salaah Mufti Online · 16 Jan 2017

Search more fatawa on this Death & Janazah topic Compare Darul Iftas