What is the obligation of the follower if the Imam performs more than four Takbirat in the funeral prayer?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
If the Imam performs more than four Takbirat, the follower must follow him up to seven Takbirat, and must not give the concluding salutation before the Imam. This is the established position from Ahmad, affirmed by Al-Khallal, and it is the position of Al-Shafi'i regarding not preceding the Imam in the salutation. This is based on narrations showing the Prophet (peace be upon him) performing five, six, and seven Takbirat on different occasions.
Supporting text
Some scholars, like Al-Thawri and Abu Hanifah, hold that if the Imam performs a fifth Takbirah, the follower should depart and not wait for the Imam's salutation, paralleling the case of an Imam adding a fifth rak'ah in standard prayer. However, this analogy is refuted because the addition of a rak'ah is undisputed, whereas the extra Takbirah is a matter of differing opinion, and the follower should remain engaged if the Imam performs an action over which there is scholarly variance.