However, the jurists made an exception for the funeral prayer, saying that it contains only one taslim, and they did not say that the second is a sunnah.

They cited as evidence that those who described the Prophet’s prayer over the deceased did not mention the two taslims (1), and that the funeral prayer contains neither bowing, prostration, sitting, nor movements between postures. Rather, it is based on brevity; hence it contains no opening supplication and is therefore shortened to a single taslim.

His statement, “the taslim”: Is it sufficient to say, “Peace be upon you,” or must one say the complete form of taslim?

The answer: the well-known position in the madhhab (2) is that it is not sufficient to say, “Peace be upon you”—meaning that if one limits oneself to this, it does not suffice. It has also been said that it does suffice, because anything beyond this is merely additional wording, since taslim is fulfilled when the person giving it says, “Peace be upon you” (3).

Its obligatory elements: …

His statement, “Its obligatory elements,” means: the obligatory elements of the prayer. Does this mean that the pillars are not obligatory?

The answer: It does not mean that the pillars are not obligatory. Rather, the pillars are obligatory and more emphatic than the obligatory elements. They differ from them in that the pillars are not waived by forgetfulness, whereas the obligatory elements are waived by forgetfulness and are remedied by the prostration of forgetfulness. This is unlike the pillars: whoever forgets a pillar, his prayer is not valid without it; whereas whoever forgets an obligatory element, the prostration of forgetfulness suffices for it. If he leaves it out through ignorance, then there is nothing