Should it be announced before the Janaazah (i.e. funeral prayer) that the deceased is male or female?

20-1-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have noticed that the Imaam will announce for the Janaazah prayer, before the initial Takbeer, that: "Prayer for those present over a deceased Muslim," or he would say: "The Janaazah of a man," or "The Janaazah of a woman," depending on the gender of the deceased. My question is: Is it obligatory for the Imaam to say anything like this before the initial Takbeer so that the people praying know over whom they are praying? Or, is it sufficient that the Imaam and those praying have the intention in their hearts only? What is the correct opinion in this matter?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

It is not obligatory for the Imaam to tell the people anything of this nature since it is not a condition of the Janaazah prayer that the one praying knows whether the deceased is male or female. But, if the Imaam or someone else does mention it, then there is nothing wrong with doing this.

Allaah Knows best.