We have previously talked about the merit of following the funeral procession.
929/1 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever attends a funeral until the funeral prayer is offered over it will get a reward equal to one Qīrāt; and whoever attends it until the deceased is buried will get a reward equal to two Qīrāts.” It was asked: “What are the two Qīrāts? He replied: “Like two huge mountains.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
930/2 - He also reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever attends the funeral of a Muslim, believing and hoping for the reward from Allah and remains with it until he offers the funeral prayer over it and the burial is completed, he will return with a reward of two Qīrāts; each Qīrāt is equivalent to Mount Uhud; and whoever offers the funeral prayer and leaves before burial, he will come back with one Qīrāt of reward.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
Qīrāt: the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) explained it by saying: “each Qīrāt is equivalent to Mount Uhud,” meaning that Qīrāt is a great amount of reward, as huge as Mount Uhud.
1) Following the funeral processions is one of the rights of Muslims upon one another. It involves a reminder and a lesson for the living. So, it is fulfillment of a right to the dead person and admonition for those attending the funeral.
2) They give glad tidings that he who follows a funeral procession and waits till burial, doing this out of faith and in pursuit of Allah’s reward, will get a great reward.
3) They point out the grace of Allah towards His sincere servants, as He promised them abundant rewards for small actions.
931/2 - Um ‘Atiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “We were forbidden to follow funeral processions, but not strictly.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
It means the forbiddance given in this regard was not as strict as it is given with regard to unlawful actions.
1) The only source of commands and forbiddances in Islamic legislation is the divine revelation sent down to the Prophet. So, when a Companion says, “we were forbidden”, this means that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was the one who forbade them.
2) It is disliked for women to follow funeral processions.
3) If violations of the Shariah arise because of women following funeral processions, like wailing and slapping faces, mingling of men and women, or the existence of temptation, the attendance by women becomes a prohibition (i.e it becomes prohibited rather than only forbidden, due to the evil consequences resulting from it).