What is the preferable position for a person walking in the funeral procession, in front or behind the bier?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
It is established that the practice of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Abu Bakr, and Umar, was to walk in front of the funeral procession. This position is supported by the practice of many Companions and Successors, including Ibn Umar, Abu Hurayrah, Malik, and Al-Shafi'i. The rationale is that those walking ahead act as intercessors for the deceased, and a valid Hadith states that a deceased person prayed over by one hundred Muslims whose intercession is accepted will have their intercession accepted. Intercessors customarily precede the one for whom intercession is sought. Furthermore, the narration supporting walking behind, which cites Ibn Mas'ud, is weakened because its narrator, Abu Majid, is considered unknown, and Al-Tirmidhi mentioned that Muhammad ibn Isma'il considered it weak.
Supporting text
The opposing view holds that walking behind is superior, based on the narration that the funeral procession is followed and not led, and that whoever precedes it is not considered among those following it. Another narration cited by this view elevates the status of walking behind the bier over walking in front to the level of an obligatory prayer compared to a supererogatory one. They also analogize the bier to the Imam in prayer, suggesting the followers should be behind it.