What is the prescribed order of precedence among relatives for leading the funeral prayer if the ruler is absent?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
The established order within the Hanbali school (as stated by Al-Khiraqi) is that the closest person after the ruler is the father, then the paternal grandfather regardless of how high up the chain. Following them are the sons, then the sons' sons descending. After them comes the brother who is a direct paternal relative (*asabah*), then his sons, and then the remaining paternal relatives in order of closeness. The rationale for the father preceding the son's line is based on greater affection and pity, making his supplication for his son more likely to be answered, prioritizing him over a more distant relative when the intent is supplication for the deceased.
Supporting text
Abu Bakr stated there are two opinions when a grandfather and a brother are both present. Malik held that the son takes precedence over the father because the son's claim to inheritance rights through direct offspring (*bunuwah*) is stronger than the father's claim through paternal lineage (*ubuwwah*), suggesting greater strength in the tie. However, the primary opinion holds that the father precedes the son because they are equal in direct lineage claim to the deceased in this context, and the father's greater affection is prioritized for the purpose of supplication.