he may not repeat it. Those who hold this view argue that the second prayer is voluntary, and the funeral prayer is not offered as a voluntary prayer.

The other view is that he may repeat it, and this is the correct view. When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, prayed over an isolated grave, those who had already offered the funeral prayer joined him. Repeating the funeral prayer is akin to repeating an obligatory prayer: it is prescribed wherever Allah and His Messenger have prescribed it.

On this basis, may he lead the funeral prayer twice? There are two reported positions. The correct view is that he may do so. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

A man prayed with the imam, then came upon another congregation and led them in prayer. Is this permissible or not?

He answered:

This is the question of “someone offering an obligatory prayer following an imam offering a voluntary prayer.” Since the imam has already performed his obligatory prayer, his subsequently leading others is permissible according to the school of al-Shāfi‘ī and one of the two positions reported from Ahmad.

There is also a third view within Ahmad’s school: it is permissible when there is a need, but not otherwise. Thus, if that imam is the one proficient in Quran recitation and has the rightful claim to lead them rather than the others, doing so in such circumstances is good. And Allah knows best.