Q: This question is from a Sudanese Muslim who lives in Kuwait. He asks about the ruling on reciting Surah AlFatihah, sacrificing animals for the deceased, and giving money to the bereaved family?
A: It is not permissible for anyone to seek to draw close to the deceased through sacrificing animals, money, making vows, beseeching them to heal the sick, or asking for their help or support as this is a form of major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). Shirk is the gravest sin and most serious crime. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states, Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills and Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allâh, then Allâh has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode. and But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.
The Ayahs that convey the same meaning are many. One should dedicate all acts of 'Ibadah (worship) to Allah alone whether sacrificing animals, making vows, Du'a' (supplication), Salah (Prayer), Sawm (Fasting), or any other forms of 'Ibadah. Thus, drawing near to the deceased by means of vows or offering food is an act of 'Ibadah that should be dedicated to Allah alone, based on the previous Ayahs. Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ): "Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). "He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims."
There is no evidence for dedicating the reward of reciting Al Fatihah or any other Surah of the Qur'an to the deceased. It is best to abandon this practice as it is not reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) or his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them). However, it is permissible to make Du'a' for the dead and pay Sadaqah (voluntary charity) to the needy on their behalf. By this, a person draws close to Allah (Glorified be He) and asks Him to dedicate the reward for this to his father, mother, or other persons whether alive or dead. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, "When a person dies, their works (righteous acts) come to an end, apart from three:
Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity), beneficial knowledge, or a pious son who supplicates for them (the deceased)." It is authentically reported that a man said to the Prophet (peace be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah! My mother died suddenly without having made any will. I think if she had been able to speak, she would have given in Sadaqah. Would she have a reward if I give Sadaqah on her behalf?" He (peace be upon him) said, "Yes." (Reported by AlBukhari and Muslim) According to the Shar' y (Islamic legal) evidence, among the deeds that benefit the deceased are performing Hajj and 'Umrah and settling debts on their behalf. If the inquirer means doing good to the bereaved family and paying Sadaqah by giving them money and slaughtering animals to feed them, it is permissible if they are poor. It is better for the neighbors and the relatives to prepare food at their own homes and bring it to the bereaved family. It is authentically reported that "When the Prophet (peace be upon him) received the news of the death of his cousin Ja'far ibn Abu Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) in the Battle of Mu'tah, he told his family to make food for the family of Ja'far, saying, "Make food for the family of Ja'far, for there has come to them that which will preoccupy them."
On the other hand, it is not permitted for the bereaved family to make food for people for the sake of the deceased. This is one of the actions of the Jahiliyyah (preIslamic time of ignorance), whether it is done on the day of the death, or on the fourth or tenth day after the death, or after a year has passed. All of this is not permitted, because it is authentically reported that Jarir ibn 'Abdullah AlBajali, one of the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet), said, "We used to consider gathering with the bereaved family and their preparing food (for those who come for condolence) after burying the dead as a kind of wailing." However, if guests come to stay with the bereaved family during the consolation period, there is nothing wrong with making food for them for the sake of hospitality. There is also nothing wrong with the household of the deceased inviting whomever they like of their neighbors and relatives to eat with them from the food that has been gifted to them. May Allah grant us success!