The Masnûn Method of Carrying a Janazah

A few Ahâdith

1. Ali Al-Asadi Rahmatullah alaih says that he saw Hazrat Ibni Umar Radiallahu anhu carrying the janâzah by holding the four corners of the bier. [Reported by Ibni Abi Shaibah and Abdurrazzaq]

2. Abu Ubaidah reports from his father that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masud Radiallahu anhu said, "Whoever follows the janâzah (and wishes to carry it) should do so by holding the four corners of the bier." [Ibid]

3. It is reported that Hazrat Abu Hurairah Radiallahu anhu said, "Whoever carries the janâzah at the four corners of the bier has freed himself from the responsibility which was upon him." [Reported by Abdurrazzaq]

These ahâdith show that it is sunnah for four persons to carry the janâzah by each one holding one of the four corners of the bier. [Kabiri, page 548]

The Mustahab method of carrying the Janâzah

It is mustahab (preferable) for each one of the four persons to carry the janâzah for a total of forty steps, in the following manner:

Firstly, place that corner of the bier where the mayyit's right hand is on your right shoulder. Carry this corner for at least ten steps. Secondly, carry that corner where the mayyit's right foot is on your right shoulder for a further ten steps. Thirdly, carry that corner where the mayyit's left hand is on your left shoulder for another ten steps. Finally, carry that corner where the mayyits left foot is on your left shoulder for an additional then steps. [Tahtâwi, page 331]

The Virtue of carrying a Janâzah for forty steps

It is reported in the hadith that forty sins will be forgiven of the person who carries a janâzah for forty steps. [Fatawa Mahmudiyyah, vol. 2, page 420]

How to walk with the Janâzah?

Question: Should a person walk in front or behind the janâzah? The custom amongst us is to form a long queue in front of the janâzah in order to carry it. It this correct?

Answer: Hazrat Barâ bin Âzib Radiallâhu anhu reports that Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallâhu alaihi wasallam. ordered us to follow (walk behind) the janâzah. [Sahih Bukhari]

From this hadith it is established that it is mustahab and more virtuous to keep the janâzah in front and walk behind. In this manner a lesson is learnt and the mayyit is honoured. However it is permissible for some people to remain in front and near the janâzah for the sake of carrying it. Such people should not remain far from the janâzah. It is makruh for all to queue up in front and leave the janâzah behind.

The majority of the people should remain behind the janâzah. Those who have carried the janâzah should move towards the back so that others may easily get the opportunity of carrying it. [Fatawa Rahimiyyah, vol. 5, page 104]

Madrasah Arabia Islamia, Azaadville - South Africa