Fatwa ID: 07127

Answered by: Maulana Mohammed Shahbaz Aslam

Question:

A brother had asked if death anniversaries are permissible? (I.e. holding a dua majlis in remembrance of them with food also being served)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي أَمْرِنَا هَذَا مَا لَيْسَ مِنْهُ فَهُوَ رد»

Mishkat al-Masabih 140

Our Mother Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said the Messenger of Allah, may Allah send prayers and peace upon him, said: “Whoever introduces in this affair of ours that which is not from it is rejected.”

Holding a majlis for dua is permissible, if food is served this is also permissible. If duas are made for the deceased and the food served is done so as sadaqah on behalf of the deceased, then this is also permitted. It is hoped that the rewards of such acts will benefit the deceased.

However, if this is deemed obligatory or sunnah then it would be considered an innovation.

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Maulana Mohammed Shahbaz Aslam

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham