Sheikh Hamdan's death: Thousands to offer absentee funeral prayer

Thousands of worshippers are expected to be part of the absentee funeral prayer, also known as Salat al-Gha'ib in Arabic, that will be conducted for the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, on Wednesday evening.

Photos: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid laid to rest

While the actual funeral prayer over the late Deputy Ruler's body was conducted on Wednesday afternoon after the noon prayers in the presence of only his family members - Sheikhs of the Al Maktoum family - due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the absentee prayers will be offered after the Maghrib prayers today. The late Sheikh Hamdan was laid to rest at the Umm Hurair cemetery in Dubai.

Also read: Funeral prayer for Sheikh Hamdan offered

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, in coordination with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD) in Dubai, issued a circular to all Imams nationwide to conduct absentee prayers for the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, after the Maghrib prayers, and alerted worshipers to participate in it while complying with all Covid precautionary measures.

Mohammed Al Hasan Khan, Imam of a mosque in Deira, said: “Since the funeral in absentia will be held after Maghrib prayers, we expect a lot of people. Additionally, some more people may join knowing that there will be prayer for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum - may Allah have Mercy on him. I personally expect a huge crowd since the late Sheikh Hamdan was a much loved and popular personality. We have been seeing the late Sheikh's signatures on the UAE's bank notes since childhood, and we have been dealing with these notes in our day to day life. He will be remembered in supplications of everyone.”

Another Imam at a mosque in a mall said around 50 people – unusually high figure - are expected to be present at the absentee funeral prayer of the late Sheikh Hamdan at the mall mosque.

Imam Dr Abdul Hameed Zafar explained: “We received orders from Awqaf UAE around noon time to conduct the absentee funeral prayers after Maghrib prayers on Wednesday. As part of the instructions, we were told to announce about the funeral prayers in the mosque after completing the Maghrib prayers. The funeral prayers are very short and barely take two to four minutes. They are performed in a standing position only. We pray to Allah Almighty to bless the late Sheikh and give him the highest ranks in paradise. We are expecting around 50 worshippers - much more than the usual congregation - today.”

How is Salat al-Gha'ib performed

1-It consists of 4 Takbeers (in the standing position) with no Ruku (bending pose) or Sujood (prostration)

>After 1st Takbeer (lift your hands to praise Allah):

>Recite opening surah of the Quran - Surah Fatihah

2-After 2nd Takbeer: Recite Durood , i.e. send blessings upon the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him)

3-After 3rd Takbeer: Prayer for the deceased

4-After 4th Takbeer: Pause for a little while and do only one Tasleem (salaam) to the right

saman@khaleejtimes.com