The Creed of Compassion-Islamic Teachings & Answering Doctrinal Misconceptions

Issue No.558- It is better to mix a small quantity of turbah of Imam al-Husayn (as) with camphor but not so much that it may no longer be called camphor.

Issue No.559- It is recommended that two pieces of fresh twigs be placed in the grave with the dead body, either inside the shroud or outside.

Issue No.560- It is obligatory to perform prayer for the dead body of every Muslim who is mature [1] and also, as an obligatory precaution, for the dead body of a child who is not less than six years.

Issue No.561- The prayer for the dead individual should be offered after the ghusl of the dead body, applying camphor and shrouding, and if it is offered before or during the performance of these acts, it does not suffice even though it may be due to forgetfulness or on account of not knowing the ruling.

Issue No.562- Wuḍū, ghusl, tayammum and also ṭahārah of the body or clothes are not required for performing the prayer for the dead individual. However, the recommended precaution is to observe all the rules required for other prayers.

Issue No.563- While performing the prayer for the dead individual, one must face the qiblah. It is also an obligatory precaution that the dead body is lain on its back in a way that its head is on the right side of the one who performs prayer and its feet on his left.

Issue No.564- The place where one is offering prayer should not be higher or lower than where the dead body is placed. However, there is no harm if it is a little higher or lower. The person offering prayer should not be distant from the dead body. However, if people are offering prayer in congregation, there is no harm if they are distant from the dead body if the rows are connected to one another.

Issue No.565- The person performing the prayer should stand and there should be no curtain or wall between him and the dead body. However, there is no harm if the dead body is in a coffin or in any other similar thing.

Issue No.566- The prayer of the dead body should be offered standing, with the intention of proximity to Allah (swt) and one should specify the deceased in the intention, e.g., one should make his intention like so: "I am offering prayer on this dead body seeking Allah's proximity". However, if there is no one who is capable of offering the prayer for the dead individual while standing, it can be offered while sitting.

Issue No.567- If the deceased had made a will that a particular person should perform the prayer for him, it is obligatory to act accordingly, and it is not necessary, although it is a recommended precaution, to take permission from the legal guardian of the deceased.

Issue No.569- If a dead body is buried without offering prayer over it, either intentionally, forgetfully, or on account of an excuse, or if it transpires after its burial that the prayer performed for it was void, it is obligatory to perform prayer at the grave of the deceased observing all required rules.

Issue No.571- A person offering the prayer for the dead individual should recite the takbīrs and supplications consecutively, so that the prayer does not lose its form and, as an obligatory precaution, one should not talk to anyone while performing the prayer.