By: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafizahullah)
As narrated by Wathilah ibn al-Asqa‘ (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
«اللهم ان فلان بن فلان فى ذمتك فقه عذاب القبر»
[Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Jana'iz: Bab al-Du'a lil-Mayt 3202]
"O Allah, indeed so-and-so, the son of so-and-so, is under Your protection; so save him from the punishment of the grave."
This hadith clearly indicates that during the funeral prayer, duʿā may be made by mentioning the deceased by name, as the expression "so-and-so, son of so-and-so" refers to a specific individual.
Merely repeating the generic phrase "Fulan ibn Fulan" (so-and-so) without identifying the person has no meaningful benefit.
« فيه دليل على استحباب تسمية الميت باسمه واسم ابيه وهٰذا ان كان معروفا والا جعل مكان ذٰلك اللهم ان عبدك او نحوه »
"This hadith is evidence for the desirability of mentioning the name of the deceased along with the name of his father, provided it is known. Otherwise, one should say: 'O Allah! Indeed, Your servant…' or similar words."
❖ Question:
Is it permissible to mention the name of the deceased during the funeral prayer while making supplication?❖ Answer:
Yes, it is permissible and supported by authentic evidence to mention the name of the deceased during the funeral prayer.As narrated by Wathilah ibn al-Asqa‘ (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
«اللهم ان فلان بن فلان فى ذمتك فقه عذاب القبر»
[Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Jana'iz: Bab al-Du'a lil-Mayt 3202]
"O Allah, indeed so-and-so, the son of so-and-so, is under Your protection; so save him from the punishment of the grave."
This hadith clearly indicates that during the funeral prayer, duʿā may be made by mentioning the deceased by name, as the expression "so-and-so, son of so-and-so" refers to a specific individual.
Merely repeating the generic phrase "Fulan ibn Fulan" (so-and-so) without identifying the person has no meaningful benefit.
❖ Scholarly Explanation
Shaykh Shams al-Haq ‘Azimabadi (رحمه الله) explains in ‘Awn al-Ma‘bood:« فيه دليل على استحباب تسمية الميت باسمه واسم ابيه وهٰذا ان كان معروفا والا جعل مكان ذٰلك اللهم ان عبدك او نحوه »
"This hadith is evidence for the desirability of mentioning the name of the deceased along with the name of his father, provided it is known. Otherwise, one should say: 'O Allah! Indeed, Your servant…' or similar words."
