What is the requirement regarding the Imam's standing position relative to the deceased during the funeral prayer?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
The established practice (Sunnah) dictates that the Imam stands directly across from the middle section of a deceased female. For a deceased male, the Imam stands opposite his shoulders or chest area. If the Imam stands in a position other than these specified locations, he deviates from the Sunnah of the standing position, but the prayer remains valid (Mujzi). This is supported by the tradition of Samura, who stated the Prophet (PBUH) stood at the middle of a deceased woman, and by the Hadith of Anas regarding the varying positions for male and female.
Supporting text
There is a position held that the Imam should stand at the head of the male deceased. This is considered close to standing at the chest, hence not in significant opposition. Hanafi scholars (Abu Yusuf and Muhammad) hold that the Imam stands at the chest for both male and female, arguing they are equal. Malik maintains that for the male, the Imam stands opposite the middle, and for the female, he stands opposite the shoulders, considering standing near the upper parts safer and preferable.