the supplication of a minor will be recited in his funeral Ṣalāĥ. (Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, vol. 1, pp. 835; Jauĥaraĥ, pp. 138; Ghunyaĥ, pp. 587) The funeral Ṣalāĥ of the one who committed suicide will be offered. (Durr-e-Mukhtār, vol. 3, pp. 128)
If a Muslim’s baby was born alive i.e. he was alive whilst the most part of his body was out (during birth) and then died, he will be bathed, shrouded and his funeral Ṣalāĥ will be offered. Otherwise, he will be washed (ritual bath not required), wrapped in a cloth and buried. Ritual bathing, coffin and funeral Ṣalāĥ are not required for him according to the Sunnaĥ. If the baby’s head comes out first, then ‘the most part’ means from head up to the chest in this case. Therefore, if the baby’s head came out and he cried but died before coming out up to the chest, his funeral Ṣalāĥ will not be offered. If the feet come out first then ‘the most part’, means from feet up to the waist in this case.
Whether the baby is born alive or dead or lost in miscarriage (pre-mature birth), he should be named as he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement. (Durr-e-Mukhtār, Rad-dul-Muḥtār, vol. 3, pp. 152, 153; Baĥār-e-Sharī’at, vol. 1, pp. 841)
It is stated in a blessed Ḥadīš, ‘Whoever carries the bier on shoulder and walks 40 steps, 40 of his major sins will be forgiven.’ It is also mentioned in a blessed Ḥadīš that the one who carries