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What is the ruling on audibly (jahran) remembering Allah collectively behind a funeral procession?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Remembrance of Allah (dhikr) is one of the greatest acts of worship, but performing it collectively in a loud voice behind a funeral procession is an innovated bid‘ah (religious innovation). Neither the Prophet (peace be upon him), nor his companions, nor the righteous predecessors did this. The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade every innovation and bid‘ah, saying: "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not part of it, will have it rejected." Al-Shatibi, in defining bid‘ah, said: "It is an invented way in religion that resembles the Shari‘ah, by means of which one intends to exaggerate in the worship of Allah, the Mighty and Exalted." This applies to dhikr performed collectively and audibly behind a funeral procession. A Muslim should avoid this and follow the Sunnah, and increase in dhikr in all circumstances, especially in times of fear and reflection. Allah, the Exalted, says: (O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance And exalt Him [with praise] morning and afternoon) [Al-Ahzab: 41-42]. And Allah, the Exalted, says: (those who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides) [Al 'Imran: 191]. Instead, one should supplicate for the deceased and seek forgiveness for them after they are buried, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Seek forgiveness for your companion, for indeed he is now being questioned."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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