The Innovation of Reciting al-Fatihah at Funerals

Question:
May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good. In our condolences, we raise our hands so that they may recite al-Fatihah, or make a supplication for the deceased. What is your guidance regarding what we do? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Reciting al-Fatihah or any other part of the Qur'an at a funeral is not prescribed; it is an innovation with no basis in the religion of Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , and in a narration by al-Nasa'i, every misguidance is in the Fire. So there is no good in an innovation, neither in this nor in anything else, and there is no reward in it, only sin. What is prescribed at a funeral is to say to the bereaved: May Allah improve your consolation, may Allah console you for your loss, and may Allah forgive your deceased. One says this supplication to him. As for reciting al-Fatihah or any part of the Qur'an on the occasion of a funeral, this is among the innovations for which Allah has not sent down any authority. Yes.