Question:
What is the ruling with regards to performing the funeral prayer whilst the Janaza is on a stand, the height of which is more than an arm-span?
Answer:
The Janaza [deceased] being placed on a stand/bedstead has been the practice from the first generation of Muslims till today. The stand is of various sizes, some more than an arm-span’s length and some less. No one ever refuted such a practice. Whosoever deems the act of putting the deceased on a stand greater in size than an arm’s length as impermissible has to give proof and bring forth his evidence. Never shall he be able to prove his claim of impermissibility and thus it would become evident to him that he has tampered with the Sacred Law. However, if the stand is of such great height that it exceeds the height of a man so that no part of the Imam goes in parallel to any part of the deceased, then the prayer will be invalid. This is because being in parallel to the deceased is a condition of the prayer. However, no stand is higher than the maximum height outlined.
And Allah ﷻ knows the best
Imam Ahmad Rida Khan رحمة الله تعالى عليه
Translation by Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari Translator of Majestic Quran, www.majesticquran.co.uk
