Fatiha Khani for the deceased
In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.
Answer
Before answering your question two issues will be looked at firstly:
- Taziyah
- Isale Thawab
When a person has passed away, his immediate family are in a state of grief and mourning. Therefore, the relatives, neighbours and friends should adopt such a manner, which will lessen their grief on the family. One should try and console the deceased’s family
The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said ; “The one who consoles a person who has been afflicted with some calamity receives the same reward as the afflicted person.” (Sunan Tirimizi p.205 V.1)
Furthermore, when the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam received the news of the martyrdom of Saaiduna Jafar Radiallahu Anhu, He instructed the companions to send food to the family of Jafar Radiallahu Anhu. (Sunan Ibn Majah p.115 v.1)
Isale Thawab (the conveying of an act of virtue to someone) is permissible regardless of whatever deed it may be, whether it is Salah, Fast, Hajj, Tawaf, Umrah etc… The scholars have also said that one should convey the reward for the entire Muslim ummah, male and female because it reaches them and the doer’s reward is not decreased at all. (Raddul Muhtar p.10 v.4)
Allah (SWA) in the Holy Quran has said:
“O’ Allah! Forgive us and forgive our Muslim brothers and sisters who have passed away.” (Surah Hashr v.10)
Once a man came to the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam and said; “My mother has suddenly died and did not leave any will but I suspect if she did that then she would have told me to give something to charity. Now if I offer something in charity on her behalf, will she get the reward? The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam replied: “yes”, then the man said that “I make you (the Prophet) as my witness that I offer my garden full of fruits to charity.” (Sahih Bukhari p.386 v.1)
To recite any portion from the Holy Quran and to pass the rewards to the deceased is something permissible. Similarly, to feed the poor with the intention to convey the reward to the deceased is also permissible.
With regards to you specific question, the practice of Fatiha Khani where
Surah Fatiha and Surah Ikhlas is read three times and then blown on the food and then given to the poor and needy to eat is something not practised by Rasullallah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam and the companions, therefore, it should be avoided. The practice of blowing on the food is not proven from Rasullallah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam and the companions. (Fatawah Rahimiyah p.174 v.3, Kifayatul Mufti p.210 v.1 & Fatawa Mahmoodiyah p.229 v.1)
Only Allah Knows Best
Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
