Saying only three takbirs in the funeral prayer

Question

A person led the funeral prayer and, instead of saying “Allahu akbar” four times, said “Allahu akbar” three times, and the fourth time “hayya ‘ala al-salah” (حي على الصلاة) was said. Was the funeral prayer valid or not? For how long after the burial of the deceased may the funeral prayer be performed? If the first prayer turned out to be incorrect, may the prayer then be performed at the grave or not?

Answer

Saying “Allahu akbar” four times in the funeral prayer is fard, and the salam is wajib. Since “Allahu akbar” was said three times and the fourth time “hayya ‘ala al-salah” was said, the obligation has not been fulfilled.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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