What is the ruling on performing the funeral prayer immediately as the sun rises?
Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
It is disliked (Ma yakhaffu 'alayhi) to perform the funeral prayer exactly when the sun is rising. This view is transmitted from Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and narrated similarly from Jaber and Ibn 'Umar, and recorded by Malik in his Muwatta' from Ibn 'Umar. Al-Khattabi stated this is the position of the majority of scholars.
Supporting text
Another narration from Ahmad, reported by Abu al-Khattab, holds that the funeral prayer is permissible in all prohibited times, aligning with the view of al-Shafi'i, based on the logic that since it is permitted after Fajr and Asr, it should be permitted during all prohibited times, analogous to obligatory prayers. The counter-argument states that it is a prayer other than the five obligatory ones, and its duration is short, unlike the two longer periods (after Fajr/Asr) where delay causes fear for the deceased. Moreover, the prohibition on burial during these three times specifically covers the funeral prayer linked to burial.