Who is the wali of the mayyit

Q:

1. Which people can become the wali of the mayyit and what is the sequence between them?
2. Which people are most worthy of performing the Janaazah Salaah in a non-Islamic country and what is the sequence between them?

A:

1. The wali of the Mayyit will be the father (except in the case where the son is more knowledgeable than the father). In the absence of the father, the son will be the wali. Thereafter, the male descendants of the mayyit in sequence e.g. grandson, great grandson and so on. If there are no male descendants then the male ascendants will be the wali e.g. grandfather, great grandfather and so on. If there are no surviving descendants or ascendants of the mayyit, then the brothers of the mayyit will be the wali, thereafter their male descendants in sequence. In the absence of the brothers or their descendants, the mayyit's paternal uncles will be the wali, and thereafter their descendants in sequence.
2. The Imaam of the locality will be the most worthy to perform the Janaazah Salaah provided that the wali of the deceased is not more knowledgeable in Deen than him. If the wali of the deceased is more knowledgeable in Deen than the Imaam, the wali will be more deserving than the Imaam of the locality. If the deceased did not pass away in his own locality then the right of performing the Janaazah Salaah will be entrusted to his male heirs (who have the potential of becoming the wali) as explained above.

(و يقدم في الصلاة عليه السلطان) إن حضر (أو نائبه) وهو أمير المصر (ثم القاضي) ثم صاحب الشرط ثم خليفته ثم خليفة القاضي (ثم إمام الحي) … بشرط أن يكون أفضل من الولي و إلا فالولي أولى … (ثم الولي) بترتيب عصوبة الإنكاح … (وله) أي للولي… (الإذن لغيره فيها)… (فإن صلى غيره) أي غير الولي (ممن ليس له حق التقدم) على الولي  (ولم يتابعه) الولي (أعاد الولي) ولو على قبره … ما لم يتمزق (الدر المختار 2/219-223)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)