Bulugh al-Maram: Funerals - Hadith 572

This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes two distinct rulings regarding funeral processions. The command to stand applies to those who witness the procession passing by, while the prohibition against sitting applies specifically to those accompanying the deceased.

Commentary on Standing for Funerals

Scholars explain that standing when a funeral passes serves multiple purposes: it honors the deceased, shows respect for the sacred nature of death, and reminds observers of their own mortality. This standing is recommended (mustahabb) rather than obligatory, according to the majority position.

The duration of standing is until the funeral has completely passed by the observer. This ruling applies equally to men and women, though women should maintain proper modesty and separation when possible.

Commentary on Accompanying the Funeral

Those who actually accompany the funeral procession have a different ruling - they should not sit until the coffin has been placed on the ground at the gravesite. This demonstrates continuous respect and attentiveness to the deceased until the burial process formally begins.

The wisdom behind this distinction shows Islam's comprehensive approach to funeral rites - different participants have different responsibilities based on their relationship to the deceased and their role in the burial proceedings.

Juridical Status and Exceptions

The consensus of scholars holds that standing for funerals is a confirmed Sunnah. Exceptions exist for those praying, those already seated for valid reasons, or in modern contexts where standing might cause congestion or safety issues.

This hadith, being "agreed upon" (by Bukhari and Muslim), carries the highest level of authenticity in Islamic scholarship, making its rulings firmly established in Islamic funeral jurisprudence.