What is the ruling on the funeral prayer?

The funeral prayer (janazah) is a communal obligation (fard kifayah). Among the foremost religious duties that Muslims must fulfill for their deceased fellow believers is performing the funeral prayer and making the necessary preparations for it. Whether male or female, the obligation is fulfilled if even one person performs this prayer. The funeral prayer consists of praising Allah, invoking blessings upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and supplicating for the deceased.

Regarding the hypocrites who did not join the Tabuk expedition without a valid excuse, it is stated: “And never offer the (funeral) prayer for any of them who dies, nor stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died defiantly disobedient.” (et-Tevbe, 9/84). This verse indicates the obligatory nature of the funeral prayer.

Additionally, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said upon the death of a Muslim: “A brother of yours has passed away. Stand up and perform his funeral prayer.” (Muslim, Janaiz, 66 [952]; see also Bukhari, Janaiz, 54 [1320]).

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu