The evidence for nine takbīrs is the report of Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr: “On the day of Uhud, the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—ordered that Hamza be brought forward. He was covered with a mantle, and the Prophet then performed the funeral prayer over him, pronouncing nine takbīrs. The slain were then brought and arranged in rows, and he would pray over them, with Hamza included each time.” Reported by al-Tahāwī in Sharh Ma'ānī al-Āthār. (1)

As for the evidence that more than four takbīrs may be pronounced when praying over people of distinction, it is established by the preceding reports and hadiths—particularly the report of Abd Khayr from Ali and the hadith of Ibn al-Zubayr concerning the Messenger’s prayer—peace and blessings be upon him—over Hamza and those slain at Uhud (2). Allah knows best.

The Third Issue: Raising the Hands with the First Takbīr and Placing the Right Hand over the Left

The established practice of the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—was to raise his hands with the first takbīr of the funeral prayer.