Did the Companions perform the absentee funeral prayer (Salat al-Gha'ib) for anyone after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and what is the evidence for that?

The permissibility of the funeral prayer for an absent person (Salat al-Gha'ib) is established by the Hadith concerning Negus. However, scholars have differed on this matter, holding four different opinions. The most equitable of these are two: 1. Performing the prayer only for an absent person who has not been prayed upon. 2. Performing the prayer for an absent person who brought benefit and advantage to Muslims, even if they have been prayed upon. The opinion that it is absolutely impermissible is weak.

It is not known that the Companions performed funeral prayers for an absent person, and this strengthens the view that it is not legislated except for one who has not been prayed upon. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen holds the view that the funeral prayer for an absent person is not a Sunnah unless the deceased has not been prayed upon, and that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, only prayed for Negus because he had not been prayed upon.

If the ruler (Wali al-Amr) commands the performance of the funeral prayer for an absent person, then this is an act of obedience to Allah, based on His saying: ﴿O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.﴾ [An-Nisa:59]. This is not considered an innovation (bid'ah) because the issue is a matter of scholarly disagreement.