brevity. Hence, it contains neither bowing nor prostration, nor any lengthy recitation in addition to al-Fatihah. Indeed, according to some scholars, there is no additional recitation at all beyond it; nor is there any tashahhud. It has only one taslim.

Some scholars said instead that an opening supplication should be recited, because it is a prayer; thus, an opening supplication is recited for it as it is for the other prayers.

His statement, “After seeking refuge, al-Fatihah,” indicates—may Allah have mercy on him—that al-Fatihah is indispensable, and this is indeed the case.

Al-Fatihah is an essential pillar of the funeral prayer, for the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said: “There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.” (1) The funeral prayer is a prayer because Allah, Exalted is He, says: “And do not pray over any of them who dies, ever.” Thus, Allah called it a prayer. Moreover, Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, recited al-Fatihah over a funeral bier and said: “So that you may know that it is Sunnah.” (2)

“In the second, he invokes blessings upon the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, as in the tashahhud; and in the third, he supplicates, saying: ‘O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females ...’”

His statement, “In the second, he invokes blessings upon the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, as in the tashahhud,” means that in the second takbir he invokes blessings upon him as he does in the tashahhud. The prayer for blessings upon him, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, in the tashahhud is: “O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Abraham and the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, bestow blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You bestowed blessings upon Abraham and the family of Abraham. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.”

If he limits himself to saying, “O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad,” that is sufficient, just as it is sufficient in the tashahhud.

His statement, “And he supplicates in the third,” means that in the third takbir he offers supplication