2 – It is recommended that those who are walking with the funeral procession go in front of the bier. Sharḥ al-Iqnāʿ explains: “They are intercessors, and an intercessor proceeds ahead of the one for whom he intercedes.” It then adds: “It is not disliked for the walkers to remain behind the bier, or to its right or left wherever they choose, as long as they are still considered part of the procession.”

3 – Sharḥ al-Iqnāʿ further states: “It is recommended for those who are riding to stay behind the bier,” and this is the preferred practice according to the four Imams. Al-Khaṭṭābī said, “I know of no disagreement among them that the rider should be behind it.” Al-Inṣāf adds: “There is no dispute about this.”

The evidence is the hadith narrated by al-Mughīra ibn Shuʿba, traced back to the Prophet: “The rider follows behind the funeral bier” (reported by al-Tirmidhī, 1031, who graded it sound). Therefore, if someone rides ahead of the bier it is deemed makrūh (disliked). Al-Nakhaʿī said, “They used to dislike that,” as related by Saʿīd.

It is likewise disliked for a person accompanying the funeral to mount an animal except when there is a need; riding on the return journey after the burial, however, is not disliked.