Question:

How many times was the funeral prayer of the Messenger ﷺ offered and who lead the first funeral prayer?

Answer:

Hazrat Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud narrates that the Messenger ﷺ said: ‘When you finish my Ghusl and have given me the shroud, leave me in the room and empty the room. Firstly, angel Jibra’il will send Durud (salutations) on me. Then angel Mika’il, Israfil and Izra’il will come with groups of angels and send salutations on me. Then all of you should come in as groups and send your Durud and salutations on me.’

Similarly, Imam Sarkhasi writes: ‘[After the soul of the Messenger ﷺ departed from this world] Hazrat Abu Bakr

was occupied in dealing with the affairs of the Ummah and ensuring the peace and order in society. During this time, Muslims as groups entered the room where the blessed body of the Messenger ﷺ was placed and paid their respect by sending Durud and Salam on him. When Hazrat Abu Bakr became free, he performed the prayer. After him no one else performed the prayer.’

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