What is the ruling regarding hastening the funeral procession (Jana'iz)?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
It is legislatively recommended (Mustahabb) to hasten the funeral procession. This is established by the textual evidence, specifically the Prophet's saying: 'Hasten the funeral, for if she was righteous, you are hastening her towards good, and if she was otherwise, it is evil that you are setting down from your necks.' This is agreed upon (Muttafaq 'alayh). Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed when following a funeral: 'Be brisk with it, and do not drag yourselves like the Jews with their funerals.'
Supporting text
The jurists disagreed on the degree of recommended hastening. The view of Al-Qadi and Al-Shafi'i is that the recommendation is for a pace that does not exceed customary walking. The companions of Al-Ra'y hold that one should trot (yakhubbu) or run lightly (yurmilu), based on a narration concerning the funeral of 'Uthman ibn Abi al-'As, where Abu Bakr raised his whip and stated they used to run lightly (ramal) with the Prophet (peace be upon him).