that this is an act of compassion toward the deceased if he was righteous, or compassion toward those carrying him if he was not righteous. We know of no one who held that it is obligatory.

His statement, “Those walking should be in front of it, and those riding behind it,” means that when those accompanying the funeral include both riders and pedestrians, the pedestrians should be in front of it and the riders behind it.

The evidence for this is that the sunnah from the Prophet ﷺ has been reported to this effect. The sunnah also gives the pedestrian the choice of walking in front of it, to its right, to its left, or behind it, according to what is convenient. (1)

As for automobiles, it is preferable for them to be ahead of the funeral procession, because if they are behind the people, they disturb them. If they are ahead of it, they cause no disturbance, as this is more reassuring for those accompanying the funeral and makes it easier for those in the vehicles to proceed quickly or otherwise.

Issue: The funeral should not be carried by automobile except for an excuse, such as the cemetery being far away, strong winds, rain, fear, and the like. This is because carrying it upon people’s shoulders is what the sunnah prescribes, and because it is more conducive to reflection and humility.

His statement, “It is disliked for one accompanying it to sit down until it is set down,” means that the person accompanying the funeral should not sit until the bier is set down, because the Prophet ﷺ said: “When you accompany