Fatwa #4791822 July 2021United States of America
I missed my father's Janazah. What should I do?
Question
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اَللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ.
I have a question regarding my father's janaza.
My father died recently on 5th shwaal 2021 back in India. At that time i was in Chicago and tried my level best to attend his funeral. Due to this pandemic, the government has restricted movements from one country to another, i tried my best to reach and i did reach but by that time his funeral was already been conducted. My question is as his only son what's my obligation towards my father's last rites, is there a any kaffara for this?
I am repenting for my absence and my conscious is killing me from inside. I know being a son i did not fulfilled my duties towards my father. Can i rectify this mistake? Please guide me on this.
Jazakallah khair.
Ateeq
Answer
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
It is our heartfelt dua that Allah Ta’ala showers your father with special mercy and grant him Jannah. Aameen.
We understand your pain for not being present for your fathers janaza. This was due do to challenges and restrictions which were beyond your control. There are many people like you who were unable to be present at the last moments of their near and dear ones and take part in the janaza and burial. Shariah has not obligated us to do something which is beyond our control. You have not commited any sin for not being present at your fathers janaza and burial. There is no kaffara for this.
The purpose of salatul janaza is to make dua of forgiveness for the deceased and beseech Allah Ta’ala for His mercy. You may practice on the following ahadith.
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال :إذا مات الأنسان انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث: صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له"[1
1. Translation: Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “When a man passes away, his deeds come to an end, except for three, continuous charity, knowledge through which people derive benefit, and a pious son who makes dua for him."
We advise you to make lots of dua for your father.
مَالِكِ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ قَالَ بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ إِذْ جَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي سُلَيْمٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَبَقِيَ مِنْ بِرِّ أَبَوَىَّ شَىْءٌ أَبَرُّهُمَا بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِهِمَا قَالَ " نَعَمْ الصَّلاَةُ عَلَيْهِمَا وَالاِسْتِغْفَارُ لَهُمَا وَإِيفَاءٌ بِعُهُودِهِمَا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِهِمَا وَإِكْرَامُ صَدِيقِهِمَا وَصِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ الَّتِي لاَ تُوصَلُ إِلاَّ بِهِمَا " [2]
2. Translation: "Maalik bin Rabiah Radhiyallahu Anhu says, “While we were with Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam a man from Banu Sulaym asked, is there any good that I can do for my parents after their demise?” Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “Yes, make du'a for them, seek forgiveness on their behalf, fulfill their bequeaths, honor their friends and maintain immediate family ties.”
v Make Dua For Them
v Seek Forgiveness On Their Behalf
v Fulfill Their Bequeaths
v Honor Their Friends
عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمِّي مَاتَتْ أَفَأَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهَا قَالَ " نَعَمْ ". قُلْتُ فَأَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " سَقْىُ الْمَاءِ[3]
3. Translation: It is reported from Sa’ad bin Ubadah Radhiyallahu Anhu that he said, “Oh Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, my mother has passed away, can I give sadaqa on her behalf?” He Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “Yes.” I asked, “Which sadaqa is best?” Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied, “Providing water.”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Arib Raza
Student Darul Iftaa
New York
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “إذا مات الأنسان انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث: صدقة جارية، أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له" ((رواه مسلم)).
[2]
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَسِيدِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ، مَوْلَى بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي أُسَيْدٍ، مَالِكِ بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ قَالَ بَيْنَمَا نَحْنُ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ إِذْ جَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي سُلَيْمٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَبَقِيَ مِنْ بِرِّ أَبَوَىَّ شَىْءٌ أَبَرُّهُمَا بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِهِمَا قَالَ " نَعَمْ الصَّلاَةُ عَلَيْهِمَا وَالاِسْتِغْفَارُ لَهُمَا وَإِيفَاءٌ بِعُهُودِهِمَا مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِهِمَا وَإِكْرَامُ صَدِيقِهِمَا وَصِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ الَّتِي لاَ تُوصَلُ إِلاَّ بِهِمَا " . ((رواه إبن ماجه))
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمِّي مَاتَتْ أَفَأَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهَا قَالَ " نَعَمْ ". قُلْتُ فَأَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " سَقْىُ الْمَاءِ ((النسائى))