Fatwa ID: 04674

Answered by: Alimah Fatima Begum     

 

Question

 

Assalamualaikum. Usually, after the burial of the deceased people come to gather at the home of the deceased to offer condolences to the family. Some families even hold Quran khatms and collectively do duas at the end. Is it permissible to visit these homes to offer condolences?

 

 

 

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

 

 

Answer:

 

Four points need to be addressed here:

1. Ta’ziyah
2. Eesaal e Thawaab
3. Quran Khatms
4. Collective duas

 

Ta’ziyah:

When a person has passed away, his immediate family is in a state of grief and mourning. Therefore, the relatives, neighbors, and friends should adopt such a manner, which will lessen their grief on the family. One should try and console the deceased’s family.

 

It has been reported from Abdullah RadiAllahu Anh that the Prophet of Allah SallallahuAlahiWasalam has said; “The one who consoles a person who has been afflicted with some calamity receives the same reward as the afflicted person.” (Jami Tirimizi, Book of Janaa’iz, Hadith 1073).

 

It has been reported from Abu Barzah RadiAllahu Anh that the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has said: “Whoever consoles a bereaved mother, he will be clothed with a Burd (garment) in Paradise.”
(Jami Tirmidhi, Book of Janaa’iz, Hadith 1076)

 

 

Eesaal e Thawaab:

 

Eesaale Thawaab (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)

 

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 and rewarding.

 

Quran Khatms:

 

Quran Khatms are allowed as long as the following three conditions are found it will be considered permissible:

1. The intention should be for the sake of Allah.
2. The Quran is recited properly with its correct pronunciation.
3. The reciters should not take any money for it. (NizamulFatawa p.151 v.1)

 

 

Collective Duas:

 

Anas bin Malik Radi Allahu Anh narrated that: the Prophet SAW said: “The supplication is the essence of worship.” (Jami Tirmidhi, Book of Supplication, Hadith 3371)

 

Ibn Abbas Radi Allahu Anh Narrated that, The Messenger of Allah SAW said: “Allah’s hand (help) is with the group.”

 

Dua wraps up the worship and to do it collectively is not a sin. However to consider it necessary is not correct.

 

Finally, to answer your question, to go to such gatherings will be allowed as long as innovative/unlawful acts are not practiced.

 

 

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Fatima Begum

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham