Ruling on Raising Hands for Collective Duʿāʾ after Someone’s Death
📚 Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Matters of Funerals, Volume 1, Page 265
❖ Question:
What is the Sharʿī ruling on raising hands and making duʿāʾ — either collectively or individually — for the deceased after his death while sitting on the “Bhora” (a mourning gathering), or in any condolence gathering? While it is established from the Qur’ān and Ḥadīth to pray for a believer’s forgiveness, is this specific form of practice acceptable?
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
✿ After the death of a Muslim, sitting on the “Bhora” or at any specific place and raising hands to make duʿāʾ — whether collectively or individually — is not established from the Prophet ﷺ.
✿ Similarly, the common practice of raising hands for duʿāʾ in condolence gatherings or assemblies is also not reported from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
✿ All such practices involving specific conditions — such as a designated place, fixed method, or particular manner — are based purely on societal customs, and there is no Sharʿī basis for them.
✅ Summary:
✔ Praying for the forgiveness of a believer is legislated in Islam,
✘ But raising hands for duʿāʾ in designated gatherings or forms (such as on the “Bhora”) is not supported by any authentic Sharʿī evidence.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
