The answer: I do not know of any sunnah concerning this. However, if I wish to say five takbirs, I make the supplication after the third a general one, and after the fourth a supplication specifically for the deceased; then after the fifth: “Our Lord, grant us what is good in this world and what is good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” [Al-Baqarah] Thus, an observant person may realize that I intend to say five takbirs when the supplication after the third is brief.

“And al-Fātiḥah, sending blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, a supplication for the deceased, and the salām. …”

His statement, “and al-Fātiḥah”: reciting al-Fātiḥah is an integral, based on the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.” (1)

Ibn ʿAbbās—may Allah be pleased with him—recited al-Fātiḥah aloud and said: “So that they may know that it is sunnah.” (2) That is, it is legislated; it does not mean that one may recite it if one wishes and omit it if one wishes.

There is no basis for the view of those who say that reciting al-Fātiḥah is not obligatory in the funeral prayer, in view of the general wording of the hadith, “There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Opening of the Book.” This is indeed a prayer, as established by the Quran and the sunnah.

If the follower finishes reciting al-Fātiḥah before the imam says the second takbir, he should recite another surah, for this has been reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. (3)

His statement, “sending blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,” means that this is among the obligations of the funeral prayer. According to the well-known view of the school, it is an integral, and this is based on the view that sending blessings upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is an integral in the prayers.