There is a custom in some countries that before proceeding to the graveyard when all arrangements of funeral are completed, the people attending the funeral procession recite the Kalima Tayyiba or some well-known Naats (in praise of the Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam) ahead of the procession.
To recite the Kalima Tayyiba, Naats, Duroods & other Tasbihs ahead of the funeral procession in chorus form in a reasonably loud manner is indeed praiseworthy, not only for the deceased but also for those attending the funeral or taking part in the loud recitation. The Holy Quran bears testimony to this. It is said in the Holy Quran: "Those who remember Allah (at all times) while standing or sitting or lying on their sides." (Surah Ale Imran: 19) It means that men of Faith remember Almighty Allah at all times when they are busy in their normal routines or are at rest.
It is said in the Holy Quran: "Lo! the hearts receive the consolation & solace with the Remembrance of Allah." (Surah Ar-Raad: 28) In the Tafseer of this verse it is said that the Muslims receive the affection & mutual sympathy from the Holy Quran & are pleased to listen to its recitation because the remembrance of Allah through his Holy Names helps them through all their problems. (Ruh-ul-Bayan)
All the Muslim participants in the funeral feel happy that they are doing service for the betterment of the deceased in his journey to the next Eternal World of the Hereafter & to make the journey blissful they are busy in the remembrance of Almighty Allah.
Sayyiduna Anas (radi Allahu anhu) said that in the funeral of a Muslim the majority of participants engage themselve in the recitation of "La Ilaha Illallah".
In the "Mishkaat", Kitab-ud-Da'waat, Bab Zikrallah, it is said: "Some of the Angels of Allah move about in the path way (of the funeral) in search of those who are busy in the remembrance of Allah & when they find some people engaged in this holy deed they call out to one another & invite them to accomplish their mission & they cover the (righteous) Muslims under their (heavenly) wings."
The mention of Zikr in this Hadith is without any qualification or restriction, in a low tone or otherwise, as also the nature of the Zikr, the recitation of Quranic verses, the Kalima, the Tasbih or in the Praise of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) - all these are among the modes of Zikr. 8. The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that whenever you pass by the Paradise (on earth) do take something from the Garden. When the Companions asked which is that Paradise, he said the group or congregation where Mu'mins are engaged in the remembrance of Allah. (Miskhaat) This shows that if the funeral procession is accompanied by the people engagd in the remembrance of Allah, the Mayyit will proceed through the pathways of the Paradise up to the graveyard & then to the place of burial.
It is said that Shaitaan clings to the heart of the man, but when man remembers Almighty Allah & engages himself in Zikr, he leaves the heart & departs. (Miskhaat) This proves that on account of the Zikr of Allah the deceased remains safe from the mischief & wrongdoing of the Shaitaan.
Imam Abdul Ghani Nabilisi (alaihir rahmah) said that some Ulama & Mashaa'ikh have declared it permissible to chant & recite the Kalima & Zikr in a loud tone ahead & at the back of the funeral procession so that the deceased & those in the funeral may receive the spiritual benefits from it & hardness & negligence of the worldly minded may be removed by the warmth of the recitations, etc.(Hadiqah Mazyah Sharh Tariqah Muhammadiyah)
Qutb-e-Rabbani, Imam Sherani (alaihir rahmah) said: Sayyiduna Ali Alkhaus said that when he found that the people attending funeral did not stop the indecorous gossiping & were constantly engaged in worldly matters, he thought it advisable that these people should be asked to recite the Kalima while in the procession because this recitation is better than not reciting the Kalima (& indulgence in fruitless gossiping) on that occasion. (Lawaqi-ul-Anwar-ul-Qudsiyah Fi Bayanil Ohhud-ul-Muhammadiyah)
The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has allowed the Muslims to recite the Kalima as & when they like. It is indeed surprising that people of blind hearts should object & denounce this pious practice, which is in no way harmful to the individual concerned & the Ummah at large.
Imam Sherani (alaihir rahmah) says: "We would not provide an opportunity to any one of our Muslim fraternity that he should deny any such thing which the Muslims have adopted taking it to be an act of righteousness & useful, especially that which relates & concerns the Divine Providence & the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam); for example, the recitation of the Kalima or the Holy Quran ahead of the funeral procession, etc. Anyone who declares this as Haraam is of those who do not understand the Shari'at". (Uhood-ul-Mashaa'ikh)
The Kalima "La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah" is best of all the virtuous deeds, then why & how can this at all be prohibited (as something objectionable?) Today, in most funerals Muslims engage themselves in worldly matters. They are also thoughtless & unconcerned about what has happened. Not only this but we have also seen (and heard) laughing while attending the funeral procession! Therefore, it is not objectionable to us that all the persons join together to recite the Kalima Tayyibah in a loud tone while going along the Mayyit of the deceased.
It is said in "Durr-e-Mukhtar": "To complete all the arrangements before the burial such as for announcing the death for the information of the local people, recite Marsiya (mournful songs, etc) in prose or poetry or anything else. All this is permissible."
In "Shaami": "It is permissible that the announcement of the demise may be made so that people may make necessary preparations to participate in the Janazah & the burial, some have declared it as Makrooh that this announcement be made in streets & bylanes. The fact is that such an announcement is not Makrooh provided that too much praise may not be made in favour of the deceased in this respect."
When it is permissible that the name & the personal qualities of the deceased may be mentioned in Marsiya (mournful song, etc) then why should the recitation of Naats by way of announcement & information regarding the Mayyit be taken as Bid'at & Haraam? The recitation of the Kalima, Quranic verses, Naath Shareef contain ample blessings besides being a formal announcement of the Mayyit. Reasonable praise & not exaggerated praise of the deceased is permissible.
To sum up, making useless noise is prohibited while doing the Zikr in proper manner is permissible, especially when such a Zikr is done by the common men who if they are left alone would indulge in fruitless gossips & other playful activities.
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