The Ruling on Reciting al-Fatihah for the Deceased and the Ruling on Funeral Gatherings
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Question:
The questioner (A. M. A.), a Sudanese resident of Riyadh, says in his question: We have a custom, which is: when a person dies, people attend the funeral gathering, and when any person arrives, he raises his hands and says: "al-Fatihah for the late so-and-so," and the rest of the seated people also raise their hands and recite.
The Shaykh: Repeat! Repeat.
The presenter: This questioner says: We have a custom, which is: when a person dies, people attend the funeral gathering, and when any person arrives, he raises his hands and says: "al-Fatihah for the late so-and-so," and the rest of the seated people also raise their hands and recite al-Fatihah and al-Ikhlas when they raise them. What is the ruling of the Shari'ah in your view, O Shaykh?
Answer:
This recitation, and this raising of hands, is a religious innovation (bid'ah), having no basis, and it is not permissible to do so; due to the lack of evidence. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1718b And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 1718a And he said: Sunan Abi Dawud 4607Sahih (Al-Albani) And he did not do this, nor did his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
As for the funeral gathering, there is a detail:
If their coming is only for condolences, there is nothing wrong with it. But if it is for food, where they prepare food for them and gather at their place, no; this is not permissible. Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajali said: "We considered gathering at the home of the deceased and preparing food after the burial to be part of wailing." But if they visit them only for condolences, greet them and offer condolences, and even if they drink coffee or tea, there is no contradiction. But if the deceased's family hold a funeral gathering and prepare food for people, this is not permissible. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
The questioner (A. M. A.), a Sudanese resident of Riyadh, says in his question: We have a custom, which is: when a person dies, people attend the funeral gathering, and when any person arrives, he raises his hands and says: "al-Fatihah for the late so-and-so," and the rest of the seated people also raise their hands and recite.
The Shaykh: Repeat! Repeat.
The presenter: This questioner says: We have a custom, which is: when a person dies, people attend the funeral gathering, and when any person arrives, he raises his hands and says: "al-Fatihah for the late so-and-so," and the rest of the seated people also raise their hands and recite al-Fatihah and al-Ikhlas when they raise them. What is the ruling of the Shari'ah in your view, O Shaykh?
Answer:
This recitation, and this raising of hands, is a religious innovation (bid'ah), having no basis, and it is not permissible to do so; due to the lack of evidence. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملًا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ردevery novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is an error
كل محدثة بدعة، وكل بدعة ضلالةAs for the funeral gathering, there is a detail:
If their coming is only for condolences, there is nothing wrong with it. But if it is for food, where they prepare food for them and gather at their place, no; this is not permissible. Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajali said: "We considered gathering at the home of the deceased and preparing food after the burial to be part of wailing." But if they visit them only for condolences, greet them and offer condolences, and even if they drink coffee or tea, there is no contradiction. But if the deceased's family hold a funeral gathering and prepare food for people, this is not permissible. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.