Question

What is the authenticity of the narration in Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d which states that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) performed the janazah Salah of Sayyidatuna Fatimah (radiyallahu ‘anha) with four takbirs?

Answer

There are conflicting reports with regards to who had performed the janazah of Sayyidatuna Fatimah (radiyallahu ‘anha). Some narrations suggest Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radiyallahu ‘anhu) performed the janazah salah while others suggest it was Sayyiduna ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The biographers of Sahabah only mention Sayyiduna ‘Ali or Sayyiduna ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) as the one who performed her janazah.

(Al Isti’ab, vol. 4, pg. 452, Usdul Ghabah, vol. 7, pg. 221. Also see Tahdhibul Asma Wal Lughat, vol. 2, pg. 801/2)

Ibn Sa’d (rahimahullah) has recorded two narrations which state that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) performed the janazah. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has deemed the first narration as weak. The second narration, which makes mention of ‘four takbirs’ is transmitted via an extremely unreliable narrator. In fact some have declared him a liar. Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has also declared another narration which states that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) performed the janazah salah as very weak.

(Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 8, pg. 24, Al Isabah, vol. 14, pg. 94/95, Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 6, pg. 98)

Based on the above, the more acceptable view according to the biographers of Sahabah (as mentioned above) was that it was either Sayyiduna ‘Ali or Sayyiduna ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) that performed her janazah.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar