Some people, when they carry the bier, hasten with it in such a way that some of the people cannot keep up with them. Is doing this prescribed or not?
Firstly:
The Sunnah is to hasten with the bier, because of the report narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who said: “Hasten with the bier, for if (the deceased) was righteous, it is something good to which you are taking him, and if he was other than that, it is something bad of which you are ridding yourselves.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1315; Muslim, 944.
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The scholars are agreed that it is recommended to hasten with the bier, unless there is the fear that hastening will cause the body to burst and the like, in which case those who are carrying it should walk at a measured pace…
(End quote from Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, 2/235)
Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: There is no difference of opinion among the leading scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) regarding the recommendation to hasten with the bier. This is what is mentioned in the texts, and it is what the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Hasten with the bier.”
(End quote from al-Mughni, 2/174)
What is meant by hastening is that it should be at a pace quicker than ordinary walking, not running with it and shaking it as a result, because this may harm the deceased and make it difficult for those among the people following the bier who are physically weak.
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: What is meant by hastening is a pace quicker than ordinary walking, but not walking fast with long strides, so that the physically weak will not fall behind and be unable to keep up with the bier. If there is the fear that the body of the deceased could change, burst or swell up, then the speed should be increased.
(End quote from Sharh al-Muhadhdhab, 5/235)
Al-Bahuti (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The Sunnah is to hasten with the bier, because of the hadith: “Hasten with the bier…” Al-Bukhari and Muslim. This hastening should be at a pace that is less than walking fast with long strides … because that could shake the bier and hurt those who are carrying it and those who are following it.
(End quote from Daqa’iq Uli an-Nuha, 1/369)
Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It is Sunnah to hasten with the bier, without that causing hardship to the mourners who are following it.
(End quote from Majmu` al-Fatawa, 13/180)
Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said: They said: They should not hasten to the extent that it causes difficulty to the mourners who are following the bier, or if there is the fear that the movement could cause the body to disintegrate, or cause something to come out of the stomach.
(End quote from Majmu` Fatawa Ibn `Uthaymin, 17/172)
Shaykh al-`Abbad said in Sharh Sunan Abi Dawud: … They should hasten with it [the bier] to the graveyard in such a way that there will be no harm to those who are carrying it or to the body, such as the body falling, for example, if one of them stumbles because of haste, which would lead to the body falling because of his falling. Rather the speed should be appropriate, so they should not walk too slowly, and the speed should not be so excessive that it results in harm to the body or to those who are carrying it. End quote.
Al-Hafiz (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The point is that it is recommended to hasten, but not to the extent that there is the fear of harm to the deceased or that will make it difficult for those who are carrying or following the bier, so that it does not go against what is meant to be observed of cleanliness and avoiding causing hardship to any Muslim.
(End quote from Fat-h al-Bari, 3/184)
And Allah knows best.
