6/18. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1486 — Do Not Delay the Funeral
The funeral should not be delayed once the bier is ready, and the funeral procession should not be followed with fire
Do Not Delay the Funeral Once It Is Ready
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1486
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1486
حَدَّثَنَا حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجُهَنِيُّ، أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " لاَ تُؤَخِّرُوا الْجِنَازَةَ إِذَا حَضَرَتْ " .
'Ali bin Abi Talib Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Do not delay the funeral once it is ready.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1486In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 54English translation : Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1486
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1486
This Hadith gives a short and clear instruction: do not delay the funeral once it is ready. The core topic is prompt burial and funeral timing. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not add many conditions in this narration, so the explanation should stay simple. When the funeral is prepared, it should not be held back without a reason mentioned in the text. The hadith about not delaying the funeral reminds Muslims that the janazah should be handled with seriousness and care. It also shows that honoring the deceased includes moving forward with the funeral when everything is ready. The wording is brief, but its message is practical. It teaches timely action, respect, and avoiding needless delay.
What we learn from this hadith
- A funeral should not be delayed once it is ready.
- The Hadith encourages timely action in funeral matters.
- Respect for the deceased includes handling the funeral without needless delay.
