After citing this hadith, al-Tirmidhī—may Allah have mercy on him—said:

“Some scholars among the Companions of the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and others followed this practice, holding that al-Fātiha should be recited after the first takbīr. This was the view of al-Shāfiī, Ahmad, and Ishāq. Some scholars, however, held that there should be no recitation in the funeral prayer; rather, it consists of praising Allah, invoking blessings upon the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and supplicating for the deceased. This was the view of al-Thawrī and other scholars of Kūfa.” (1) End quote.

I say: What has been established in the Sunnah must be followed. Allah alone grants success.

The Fifth Issue: What Is Said after the Second Takbīr

The Sixth Issue: What Is Said after the Third Takbīr

The Sunnah in the funeral prayer is that, after pronouncing the second takbīr, the Muslim should invoke blessings upon the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him.

It is recommended that these blessings be invoked using the formulas that the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—taught his Companions—may Allah be pleased with them.

After the third takbīr and the remaining takbīrs, he should supplicate sincerely for the deceased.

It is recommended that he use one of the funeral supplications authentically reported from the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him.

The evidence for this is as follows: