The ruling on raising the Voice with the Statement 'La ilaha illallah' while going out with the Funeral Procession

Question :

What is the ruling on raising the voice with the statement 'La ilaha illallah' (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh) in group unison while going out with the funeral procession and walking with it to the grave?

Answer:

The guidance of the Messenger when he would follow the funeral procession is that his voice would not be heard saying 'La ilaha illallah' or reciting the Qur'an or anything similar to that. He did not order that the statement 'La ilaha illallah' be said in group unison - as far as we know. Rather, it is reported from him that he prohibited that the deceased be followed with any sound (or voice) or fire. This was recorded by Abu Dawud.

Qays bin 'Abbad, one of the major Successors of the Companions, and one of the friends of 'Ali bin Abu Talib said: "They (the Companions) used to like lowering the voice during the funerals, while remembering Allâh and during battle."

Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah said: "It is not recommended to raise the voice with the funeral procession, the recitation of the Qur'an, remembering Allâh or anything else. This is the view of the four Imams and it is reported from the Salaf among the Companions and the Successors of the Companions. I do not know of any difference of opinion concerning it." He also said: "The people of knowledge of Hadith and the reports have agreed that this practice did not exist in the time of the blessed generations." With this, it becomes clear to you that raising the voice while saying 'La ilaha illallah' in group unison with the funeral procession is a rejected innovation. The same applies to whatever resembles it of the people's saying: "Declare His Oneness", or "Remember Allâh", or reciting some lines of poetry like the one known as Al-Burdah.

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