Question:

Is it permissible to repeat a funeral prayer once it has already been performed?

Answer:

When a person passes away, a guardian (Wali) is selected to represent the deceased person. This can be any person that has strong connection with the deceased person and can represent his affairs. Such a person can include a father, husband, brother or an uncle.

If such a guardian has offered the funeral prayer then it becomes impermissible to repeat the funeral prayer. If the funeral prayer has been offered without the guardian being present, the guardian has the choice of repeating the funeral prayer. Others (who have not already offered their funeral prayer) can also join in such a prayer.

Imam Burhan al-Din Abu Bakr writes in his al-Hidaya:

‘If people offer the funeral prayer without the presence of the guardian or the Muslim ruler, the guardian has the option of repeating the funeral prayer since it is the right of the guardian to offer the funeral prayer of his relative. If the guardian has offered his funeral prayer, then it is not permissible for others to repeat the funeral prayer. The obligation (Fardh) of performing a funeral prayer has been fulfilled with the prayer of the guardian. It is impermissible to offer a funeral prayer as an optional (Nafl) prayer. This is the reason Muslims do not offer funeral prayer while visiting the resting place of Holy Prophet ﷺ. ’

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