Ḥīlah Isqāṭ: The Ruling on Distributing Goods with the Funeral
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, Page 510
In some areas, when a deceased person is taken to the funeral ground, the relatives also bring items such as jaggery, sugar, soap, or other goods, and sometimes money.
Before or after the Janāzah prayer, certain individuals (often religious leaders) sit in a circle around these items, place the Qur'an upon them, and go around "forgiving" each other by touching the Qur'an in succession. This practice is referred to as "Ḥīlah Isqāṭ."
Afterward, the items and money are distributed among themselves or others, under the assumption that the deceased has received forgiveness or abundant reward.
What is the Sharʿī ruling on this practice?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
◈ This practice, known as Ḥīlah Isqāṭ, has no foundation in the Qur’an or authentic Prophetic Sunnah.
◈ It is also not found in the sayings or actions of the Salaf (righteous early generations).
◈ Therefore, it is classified as a clear Bidʿah (innovation).
◈ Some later jurists invented this method without any support from the Four Imams or their direct students.
◈ Claiming that the deceased’s obligatory acts (like missed Ṣalāh or Ṣawm) are absolved through this process is completely baseless.
If the deceased owed missed Ramaḍān fasts, feeding the poor is the valid alternative:
“No one should pray or fast on behalf of anyone. Instead, for each day, one mud (approx. 2 kg) of wheat must be given in charity.”
(al-Sunan al-Kubrā lil-Nasāʾī 2/175, Ḥadīth 2918 – authentic chain)
"Whoever dies while obligated to fast (due to a vow), then his guardian should fast on his behalf."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1952, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1147)
◈ This applies only to nadhr fasts, not general fasts.
◈ This practice is effectively a fraudulent trick:
– Items worth a small amount (e.g., ₹1000) are “passed around” in a mock sale or gifting cycle.
– The aim is to simulate exaggerated acts of reward and deceive Allāh (naʿūdhubillāh).
◈ Though some later scholars (e.g., cited by Sarfarāz Khān Deobandi in al-Minhāj al-Wāḍiḥ / Rāh-e-Sunnat, pp. 278–283) supported the idea,
◈ Their views hold no weight when in contradiction to the Qurʾān, Sunnah, and Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn.
◈ The opinions of late jurists cannot override the clear, authentic teachings of the four Imams and the early righteous generations.
✔ Ḥīlah Isqāṭ is an innovated and baseless ritual.
✔ It carries no validity in Sharīʿah.
✔ It is a deviation that must be avoided entirely.
al-Ḥadīth, Issue 45
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, Page 510
❖ Question
In some areas, when a deceased person is taken to the funeral ground, the relatives also bring items such as jaggery, sugar, soap, or other goods, and sometimes money.
Before or after the Janāzah prayer, certain individuals (often religious leaders) sit in a circle around these items, place the Qur'an upon them, and go around "forgiving" each other by touching the Qur'an in succession. This practice is referred to as "Ḥīlah Isqāṭ."
Afterward, the items and money are distributed among themselves or others, under the assumption that the deceased has received forgiveness or abundant reward.
What is the Sharʿī ruling on this practice?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
✦ 8-Point Sharʿī Review of Ḥīlah Isqāṭ:
➊ No Evidence in Qur’an and Sunnah
◈ This practice, known as Ḥīlah Isqāṭ, has no foundation in the Qur’an or authentic Prophetic Sunnah.
◈ It is also not found in the sayings or actions of the Salaf (righteous early generations).
◈ Therefore, it is classified as a clear Bidʿah (innovation).
➋ Fabricated by Later Imitative Jurists (Mutakhkhirīn)
◈ Some later jurists invented this method without any support from the Four Imams or their direct students.
◈ Claiming that the deceased’s obligatory acts (like missed Ṣalāh or Ṣawm) are absolved through this process is completely baseless.
➌ Obligation of Fidya (Expiation) for Missed Fasts
If the deceased owed missed Ramaḍān fasts, feeding the poor is the valid alternative:
“No one should pray or fast on behalf of anyone. Instead, for each day, one mud (approx. 2 kg) of wheat must be given in charity.”
(al-Sunan al-Kubrā lil-Nasāʾī 2/175, Ḥadīth 2918 – authentic chain)
➍ Nadhr (Vowed) Fasts Must Be Fulfilled by a Relative
"Whoever dies while obligated to fast (due to a vow), then his guardian should fast on his behalf."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1952, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1147)
◈ This applies only to nadhr fasts, not general fasts.
➎ Ḥīlah Isqāṭ Involves Deception
◈ This practice is effectively a fraudulent trick:
– Items worth a small amount (e.g., ₹1000) are “passed around” in a mock sale or gifting cycle.
– The aim is to simulate exaggerated acts of reward and deceive Allāh (naʿūdhubillāh).
➏ Practice Supported by Later Jurists is Invalid
◈ Though some later scholars (e.g., cited by Sarfarāz Khān Deobandi in al-Minhāj al-Wāḍiḥ / Rāh-e-Sunnat, pp. 278–283) supported the idea,
◈ Their views hold no weight when in contradiction to the Qurʾān, Sunnah, and Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn.
➐ No Consideration for Mutakhkhirīn over Salaf
◈ The opinions of late jurists cannot override the clear, authentic teachings of the four Imams and the early righteous generations.
➑ Summary Ruling
✔ Ḥīlah Isqāṭ is an innovated and baseless ritual.
✔ It carries no validity in Sharīʿah.
✔ It is a deviation that must be avoided entirely.
al-Ḥadīth, Issue 45ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
