Why Are There No Bowing and Prostration in the Funeral Prayer?
The absence of bowing and prostration in the funeral prayer comes from its prayer focused nature and its purpose as a collective supplication for the deceased.
The question why bowing and prostration are not performed in the funeral prayer is an important topic that naturally arouses the curiosity of many people who are trying to understand Islamic acts of worship. The funeral prayer is a special form of worship that differs from other prayers both in structure and in purpose. It represents the final collective supplication made for a deceased Muslim. While bowing and prostration are present in daily obligatory or voluntary prayers, their absence in the funeral prayer is a conscious and meaningful choice. The main purpose of the funeral prayer is to ask Allah for forgiveness and mercy for the deceased. In this act of worship, intention, supplication, and submission take precedence over bodily movements. In Islam, the form of every act of worship is directly connected to its content. Although the funeral prayer is an act of worship, it contains no physical movements other than standing and reciting takbirs. This is because the funeral prayer is not a prayer of personal devotion, but rather a collective plea and supplication. This act of worship, which reminds people of human helplessness in the face of death, is performed with simplicity and dignity.
The Supplication Centered Nature of the Funeral Prayer
The answer to the question of why bowing and prostration are not performed in the funeral prayer lies in its supplication centered nature. Bowing and prostration are physical expressions of servitude to Allah and represent the worship of a living individual. In the funeral prayer, however, the person performing the prayer does not turn to Allah on their own behalf, but on behalf of the deceased. Therefore, the essence of this prayer is not physical movements such as bending or prostrating, but verbal and heartfelt supplications. The funeral prayer is a silent and dignified expression of submission to Allah. In addition, it serves as a reminder for the congregation to collectively reflect on death and renew their awareness of the hereafter. Performing it while standing is regarded as a symbol of respect and seriousness. Movements such as bowing and prostration require physical effort and concentration, whereas in the funeral prayer the aim is for the heart to be fully focused on intention and supplication. In this respect, the funeral prayer is accepted as a unique form of worship that clearly differs from other prayers.
Sunnah and Jurisprudential Foundations
Another important reason why bowing and prostration are not included in the funeral prayer is the practice of the Prophet and Islamic jurisprudence. The funeral prayers performed by Prophet Muhammad were taken as a model by Islamic scholars, and this practice has been preserved unchanged for centuries. The structure of the funeral prayer consisting of four takbirs, being performed while standing, and excluding bowing and prostration is established through authentic hadiths. This demonstrates that the act of worship is not arbitrary, but based on revelation and the Sunnah. In Islam, the form of worship is not determined by human reasoning, but by divine guidance. Each takbir recited in the funeral prayer represents a separate section of supplication. This structure allows the worship to be carried out entirely on a verbal and spiritual level. Moreover, the funeral prayer is not an individual obligatory prayer like the daily prayers, but a communal obligation. This means that when a group fulfills this duty, the responsibility is lifted from others. This characteristic also necessitates that the funeral prayer be kept simple and concise.
Awareness of Death and the Wisdom of Worship
The question of why bowing and prostration are not performed in the funeral prayer also requires an understanding of the wisdom behind this act of worship. Death is the clearest reminder of human mortality. Standing during the funeral prayer symbolizes respect and seriousness in the face of this reality. The simplicity of the worship emphasizes the modest and equal nature of death for all people. When movements such as bowing and prostration are omitted, attention is directed entirely toward the supplications and intentions being made. This increases the sincerity of the prayers offered for the deceased and serves as a lesson for those who remain alive. In one sense, the funeral prayer is a silent admonition to the living, reminding everyone that one day they too will be the subject of such a prayer. For this reason, the funeral prayer holds a special place in Islam as a form of worship that focuses more on meaning and emotion than on physical movement. /
