The Funeral Prayer for the Child of an Unmarried Girl

Question

A child was born to a woman without a husband — an unmarried girl — and the imam of the mosque did not lead the prayer over this child, and the child was buried just like that. Was this right or not, and what is the ruling concerning the respected imam?

Answer

If the child was born dead, he should have been buried without the prayer; and if he was born alive, the funeral prayer over him is necessary. If the respected imam did not know the ruling, or knew it just as he acted, then he is excused to a degree; but if he did this despite knowing the ruling correctly, then he must repent of his deed.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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