Upon the death of a person, it is a common practice to make Fateha.
Contextually, Fateha is the recitation of a few Aayaats of the Qur’aan
followed by a Du’aa for the deceased.
There are innumerable number of Ahaadith expounding the virtues of reciting
the Qur’aan and making Du’aa. There are also many Ahaadith on Isaal-e-Sawaab
(sending reward to the deceased). Surely, the deceased eagerly await for
rewards from his beloved wife, parents and friends by them making Du’aa for
his forgiveness, giving charity, etc. on his behalf.
However, in order for the deceased to benefit from the gifts of his beloved,
they must be channelled to him in the correct way, the way of our beloved
Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). During the time of the Prophet
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), many deaths occurred. It was his noble habit
to comfort the bereaved families and widows. Many Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu
Anhu) enquired from the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) about
Isaal-e-Sawaab (sending Sawaab to their deceased). It is not proven on any
one occasion that the Prophet himself practised or ordered the customary
practise of Fateha. Had the customary practise of Fateha been of any
significance, he surely would have at least practised it or ordered its
practise at least once in his lifetime.
To emphasise and carry out a particular practise not proven in Shari’ah, for
example, Fateha leads to distortion of Deen. Many people may regard the
practise as necessary and an integral part of Deen as is the case among many
unwary people today. Any practise which leads to a possible distortion of
Deen is prohibited and a major sin. Obviously, such a practise leading to
sin invokes the anger of Allah. How can such a practise benefit the
deceased?
The only way to benefit the deceased is to send Sawaab to him by carrying
out acts of virtue, for example, reciting Qur’aan, making Du’aa for him,
giving charity, etc. as advised by our beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam). May Allah Ta’ala bless all our Marhooms and grant them Jannatul
Firdaws.
And Allah Taãla Knows Best.
Was salaam
Mufti Ebrahim Desai