What is the ruling on accumulating multiple funeral prayers (Janazah) before completing the prescribed number of Takbirat (saying 'Allahu Akbar')?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
When multiple funerals are brought forward after the initial one, the Imam تكبر (says Takbir) for the second, intending for both. If a third is brought, the third Takbir is said for all three, and so on, up to the fourth. The Imam must then complete the remaining Takbirat until there are seven in total over the set of funerals. This is done to ensure the last one receives four Takbirat, as deficiency is impermissible, and the first one receives seven, which is the maximum limit. If a fifth funeral arrives, it must not be included in the Takbirat, nor should the Imam intend for it, as this would either exceed seven Takbirat or reduce the required four Takbirat for one of the preceding funerals, both being impermissible. Similarly, a second funeral cannot be included after the fourth one for the same reason.
Supporting text
The Imam must recite Al-Fatihah during the fifth Takbir, send blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the sixth, and make supplication in the seventh, so that all funerals receive the required recitations and remembrances just as they received the complete set of Takbirat. A secondary view suggests that additional Takbirat beyond the initial four should follow consecutively, similar to making up missed units in regular prayer, based on the Prophet's (PBUH) practice of seven Takbirat without known multiple recitations. However, the principal view holds that the second and subsequent funerals are separate prayers, thus requiring adherence to the conditions and obligations of the prayer, like the first one.