Q 1: What is the ruling on collective recitation of Tahlil (saying: "La ilaha illa Allah [There is no god except Allah]") when walking in a funeral procession?

A: It was not the Prophet's regular practice to recite Tahlil or read any verses of the Qur'an or anything of the sort when walking in a funeral procession. As far as we know, the Prophet did not order to recite Tahlil in groups. Rather, it is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade that the dead person should be followed with wailing or fire.” Narrated by Abu Dawud. Qays ibn `Abbad, one of the great followers of `Aly ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "The Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) used to lower their voices upon walking in funeral processions, reciting Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah), and upon fighting." Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful to him) stated: "It is undesirable to recite Qur'an or Dhikr or anything else while walking in a funeral procession. This is the view held by the Four Imams (Imams Abu Hanifah, Malik, Al-Shafi`y, and Ahmad). This same view is also held by the righteous predecessors of Sahabah and Tabi`un (Followers, the generation after the Companions of the Prophet). I know of no one who may have held a different view."Ibn Taymiyyah also said: "Scholars of Hadith have unanimously agreed that such a practice was not (Part No. 9; Page No. 20) done during the early generations of Islam." Thus, it becomes quite clear that raising the voice with Tahlil when following a burial procession is an act of disapproved Bid`ah (innovation in religion). The same applies to articulating oft-repeated words as "Wahhiduh" meaning '' Say: Allah is One'' and "Idhkuru Allah" meaning "Mention the Name of Allah" or reciting eulogies like Al-Burdah (a deviant eulogy composed in praise of the Prophet).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.