Is the opening supplication prescribed in the funeral prayer?

The funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) is a communal obligation (fard kifayah). The opening supplication (Du'a al-Istiftah) is a confirmed Sunnah in every prayer that includes bowing and prostration. Scholars have differed regarding the permissibility of reciting the opening supplication in the funeral prayer:

- The majority of scholars (Malikis, Shafi'is, and Hanbalis) hold that it is not permissible, due to the absence of any report from the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding its recitation in this prayer, and because the funeral prayer is based on brevity. - The Hanafis consider it to be Sunnah by analogy with other prayers.

The more probable opinion is that the opening supplication is not permissible in the funeral prayer, given the absence of any transmitted report concerning it, and because the prayer is based on brevity.