Fatwa ID: 03688

Answered by: Maulana Naieem Mohammad

Question

When a Muslim dies and people are making Dua around his grave, will the Dua help at all?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

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

Answer:

Death is inevitable

When we die, all sources of benefits will definitely be grasped at, like a drowning person grasping at straws.

Abu Hurayra (r.a.) said that the Prophet (s.a.w.) says:

’’When a person dies, all sources of good deeds are cut off except for 3 sources;

1. Ongoing charity
2. Beneficial knowledge that was passed on
3. Pious children who make dua for him.”[1]

The Prophet (s.a.w.) also would advise that we make dua for the deceased, seeking forgiveness on their behalf and asking Allah to keep them firm and steady during the questioning in the grave (whether they be our relatives or not).[2]

Imam Al Qurtubi states in his book “At Tadhkira”, that the duas, istighfaar and rewards of recitation of Quran reach the deceased person and are of benefit to him.[3]

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (r.a.) would also advise that when a person enters the cemetery that they seek forgiveness for the deceased in forms of dua and recitation of Quran.[4]

  The Prophet (s.a.w.) passed by two graves and he broke two green branches, then planted them on the graves saying,” perhaps it may lead to some ease for them as long as it remains green.”[5] Imam Al Qurtubi mentions that the recitation of Quran will also assist in easing the difficulties of the grave just as these two branches assisted.[6]

In conclusion, there are many instances from the ahadeeth and the advice from our predecessors which prove that duas and good deeds will indeed benefit the deceased.

May Allah protect us from his anger and grant us righteous offspring and friends who may be of benefit to us in this life and the next.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Naieem Mohammad

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham