Fateha for the Deceased

QUESTION:

Kindly provide information on reciting Fateha for the deceased?

ANSWER:

We assume that your query pertains to making Dua for the deceased. Yes, it is permissible for one to make Dua in the Qabrastaan after burying the deceased, or whenever one visits the Qabrastaan. However, it is best that one faces the Qiblah when making Dua in the Qabrastaan instead of facing the grave. This is restricted to men, as females are not permitted to visit the Qabrastaan. However, both males and females can make Dua for the deceased at any time without any restriction. It is not necessary that Dua is made at the graveyard. Similarly, one may carry out optional acts of worship or charity and pass the rewards over to the deceased whenever possible. In conclusion, making Dua for the deceased and passing over rewards to them is recommended, and strongly encouraged. However, if by the term ‘Fateha’ you are referring to some special form of Dua that is unknown to us, then we suggest that you forward the necessary details to us, and we will respond in light of the Quraan and Sunnah.

Also, it is mentioned in the Hadith Sharif that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam faced the Qiblah and made Dua after burying a Sahaabi by the name of Hadrat Abdullah Dhun Nijaadain, hence it is proven from this narration that one should face the Qiblah when making Dua.

وَفِي حَدِيثِ بن مَسْعُودٍ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي قَبْرِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ذِي النِّجَادَيْنِ الْحَدِيثَ وَفِيهِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ مِنْ دَفْنِهِ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ رَافِعًا يَدَيْهِ أَخْرَجَهُ أَبُو عَوَانَةَ فِي صَحِيحه (فتح الباري 11/144)

 Hadrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Saheb Gangohi Rahimahullah writes in Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah that, when making Dua for the deceased one may raise the hands or keep the hands lowered in the graveyard. In other words, one is left with a choice in this matter. However, if one wishes to make Dua with the hands raised, then he should not face the Qabr; rather he should face the Qiblah, as facing the Qabr (with the hands raised) creates the misconception that one is asking from the deceased.

Re: – Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah Vol. 13 Pg. 274

 ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 08 Dhul Qa’dah 1445 / 17 May 2024

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb