The Great Imam’s Swalat al-Janazah

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following was recorded Imam Muhammad Mutawalli ash-Sha’rawi (r.a.). 

One time, Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) fell sick and, as usual, sent his messenger asking for Sayyidah Nafisah bint al-Hasan al-Anwar ath-Thahirah’s (q.s.) du’a.  She replied to his message, “Tell him that may Allah (s.w.t.) Make his meeting with Him the Best of meetings, and may Allah (s.w.t.) Lift him to His Proximity.” 

When the messenger returned with this message, the imam understood that his death was imminent.  Immediately, Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) wrote his will, stating that Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) should pray the swalat al-janazah over him.  He passed away at the end of Rajab, 204 AH. 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) also executed his will.  Incapacitated due to her constant worship, they brought the imam’s body from his house in al-Fistat district to her home.  There, she prayed the swalat al-janazah over him from the women’s section, following Imam Abu Ya’qub Yusuf ibn Yahya al-Buwaythi (r.a.), who lead the prayer.