Q: Is it permissible to offer Janazah (Funeral) Prayer in congregation in the graveyard before performing the obligatory Salah (Prayer)?

A: The basic rule is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to offer Janazah Prayer over a deceased Muslim in the graveyard or outside it. (Part No. 7; Page No. 258) Sometimes he (peace be upon him) would offer it in the Masjid (mosque). Both are permissible, that is, Janazah Prayer can be offered either before or after the obligatory Salah.As for the obligatory Salah, it is not permissible to perform it in the graveyard since this was prohibited by the Prophet (peace be upon him). The same applies to Nafilah (supererogatory Salah), i.e. it is not permissible to perform it in the graveyard based on the purport of the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him): May Allah curse the Jews and the Christians, for they have taken the graves of their Prophets as places of worship. There are also other Sahih (authentic) Hadiths to the same effect.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.