Referring to a Deceased Muslim as “Marḥūm” – Shar‘ī Ruling and Guidance
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
Is it permissible in Sharī‘ah to refer to a deceased Muslim as “Marḥūm” (the one enveloped in mercy), or to say phrases such as:
“Allah has covered him with His mercy” or “He has returned to Allah’s mercy”?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
Yes, it is permissible in Islam to say:
◈ “Marḥūm” for a deceased Muslim,
◈ Or to express: “Allah covered him with His mercy”,
◈ Or “He has moved towards Allah’s mercy.”
There is no Shar‘ī prohibition in using such expressions.
✔ These words fall under the category of tafā’ul (positive hope) and expectation of Allah’s mercy.
✔ They are not definitive statements about the unseen (ghayb).
✔ Since matters of the unseen cannot be stated with certainty, these expressions are uttered as hopeful optimism and supplication, not with absolute certainty.
✔ “He has moved towards the mercy of Allah.”
✔ “He has joined the higher companionship (rafīq al-aʿlā).”
Such statements also reflect:
— Hope,
— Good expectation,
— And a form of du‘ā (supplication).
They are not intended as confirmed reports about the unseen, and thus remain within the bounds of permissibility.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām❖ Question:
Is it permissible in Sharī‘ah to refer to a deceased Muslim as “Marḥūm” (the one enveloped in mercy), or to say phrases such as:
“Allah has covered him with His mercy” or “He has returned to Allah’s mercy”?
❖ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh. Ammā ba‘d:
Yes, it is permissible in Islam to say:
◈ “Marḥūm” for a deceased Muslim,
◈ Or to express: “Allah covered him with His mercy”,
◈ Or “He has moved towards Allah’s mercy.”
There is no Shar‘ī prohibition in using such expressions.
❖ Reasoning Behind Permissibility:
✔ These words fall under the category of tafā’ul (positive hope) and expectation of Allah’s mercy.
✔ They are not definitive statements about the unseen (ghayb).
✔ Since matters of the unseen cannot be stated with certainty, these expressions are uttered as hopeful optimism and supplication, not with absolute certainty.
❖ Similar Acceptable Phrases:
✔ “He has moved towards the mercy of Allah.”
✔ “He has joined the higher companionship (rafīq al-aʿlā).”
Such statements also reflect:
— Hope,
— Good expectation,
— And a form of du‘ā (supplication).
They are not intended as confirmed reports about the unseen, and thus remain within the bounds of permissibility.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
This is what I hold to be correct. And Allah knows best what is right.
