The Ruling on Reciting al-Fatihah for the Souls of the Dead

Question:
The questioner asks about the ruling on reciting al-Fatihah for the souls of the deceased?

Answer:
It has no basis; there is no basis for this... Some scholars recommended it, but the correct view is that it is not recommended. It is not recommended to recite al-Fatihah, or anything else, for the deceased or for others. Nothing has come from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) indicating the prescription of reciting the Qur'an to send its reward to the deceased or to others. However, you recite it to benefit from it, to act upon it, to know its meaning, and to act upon it, not to send its reward to someone else. But you recite it for the sake of action, knowledge, and benefit.
As for reciting it for the sake of reward, meaning to send that reward to someone else among the deceased or others, there is no evidence for this, and the prescribed course is to leave it. But you recite it to act upon it and to know its meaning, so that you may receive reward from Allah for the recitation and the action.