Encomium
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
We have established the position of Islam about ‘Fidau’ and we still want to reiterate that it has no basis in Islam. Neither did the Prophet (Peace be upon him), the harbinger of glad tidings, nor his noble companions, whom Allah has described as the ‘best generation’ according to Qur’an 9: 100 did ‘fidau’ as it’s being practiced today, except 3 days mourning for sons, daughters, relatives and friends of the dead. Only the widows of the deceased are allowed to mourn for 4 months and 10 days.
In fact, we’ve also explained that the origin of the word, ‘fidau’ has no correlation with funerals.
Following Prophet Muhammad’s path is compulsory on every Muslim. There are many verses in the Qur’an where Allah established this. In Qur’an 3: 31, “If you (really) love Allah, then follow Muhammad (peace be upon him), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
While following the Prophet (Peace be upon him) is rewarding, it’s a great sin to do what he (Prophet) didn’t do, especially on acts of ibadah (worship). It’s called ‘bid’ah’ – innovation- and introducing new things into worship of Allah is as if we know more than the messenger sent by Allah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Indeed, the best speech is Allah’s Book and the best guidance is Muhammad’s guidance. The worst affairs (of religion) are those innovated (by people), for every such innovation is an act of misguidance leading to hell.”
For us to be saved from the fire of hell, we must not engage in innovation during worship. Allah has commanded Muslims to obey Him, our parents, scholars and leaders even follow culture and traditions, so far they are in conformity with Islam. In fact, anything that has to do with worship must be limited to the book of Allah (Qur’an) and sayings or silence approval of the Prophet (Hadith), and are not liable to modifications based on analogies and opinions of any scholar or tradition.
Since this matter is categorised as worship, there is no authentic evidence to show that Prophet did it, neither is it allowed to hold party, big or small get-together for the dead! What is most beneficial and uncontestable for the deceased person is the good deeds he started during his lifetime, and that is of renewed benefit and ongoing use for the Muslims, will continue to benefit him and augment his record of good deeds, even after his departure – as long as its benefits continue to reach others. It’s called sadaqatul jariyah and Allah (SWT) says, “We record that (deeds) which they have put forward and their traces (that which they have left behind).” Qur’an 36: 12.
One of the companions, Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “When a human being dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three types: an ongoing sadaqah (voluntary charity), a knowledge (of Islam) from which others benefit, and a righteous child who makes du’a (prayer) for him.”
Another companion, Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him), reported that Allah’s Messenger ((peace be upon him) said, “Among the good deeds that continue to benefit a believer after death are: a knowledge that he taught and disseminated, a righteous child who lived after him, a Qur’an book that he left as inheritance, a masjid (mosque) that he built, a house that he built for the two wayfarers, a stream that he ran, or a charity that he gave from his wealth during his healthy lifetime so that it would reach him (in rewards) after death.” (Ibn Majah and others. Verified hasan (good) by al-Mundhiri and al-Albani).
Commenting on this, al-Mundhiri (may be pleased with him) said: “Some scholars say that the deeds of a human being end with his death. However, since he had caused these things (which are mentioned in the above Prophetic tradition), such as the earning of a child, disseminating the knowledge among those who take it from him, compiling a book that remains after him, or establishing a sadaqah, the rewards of these things continue to reach him as long as they continue to exist.” (‘Awn al-Ma’bud, 8:86)
The reason that one continues to receive rewards for these deeds even though it’s an atom’s weight deeds, is that he had done them during his life, and Allah records these contributions for him. I therefore advise you, the reader, to think of something rewarding you can do now that you’re still existing before death comes to you. There are many ways you can change people’s lives for better. Think about the less privileged children who wanted to go to school but they couldn’t because they have to means. What about the starving ones while food is being wasted at your dad’s ‘fidau’ – prayer?
THE ROLE OF CHILDREN TOWARD THEIR DEAD PARENTS
The above Hadith (Prophetic sayings) indicate that a righteous child benefits his deceased parents with du’a (prayers) every time, especially after every solat (both obligatory or voluntary prayers). Not a fixed prayer as it’s being done today because there is no evidence for that!
It is further demonstrated here that he can benefit them by spending sadaqah (voluntary charity), as well as doing other charitable deeds, on their behalf. For instance, all the money splashed on staging a big party for the dead all in the name of 8 days fidau could be used to safe someone’s life and it’ll be rewarded for the dead. Besides, many commit sins during fidau, such as lavish spending, food wastage, drinking of alcohol, free-mixing with men and women, etc, which will be accounted for the dead as sins instead of prayers.
There are many authentic narrations to support this views. Wife of the Prophet, A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her), reported that a man asked Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him), “My mother had a sudden death, and did not have chance to bequeath anything. Had she been able to do, I think that she would have given sadaqah (voluntary charity). Would she or I get any rewards if I give sadaqah on her behalf?” He replied, “Yes! So give sadaqah on her behalf.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others).
Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Sa’d bin ‘Ubadah’s mother died during his absence on a trip. He came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and asked him, “O Allah’s Messenger! My mother has passed away during my absence. Would it be of benefit to her if I give sadaqah on her behalf?” He replied, “Yes!” He said, “Be my witness then that I give my fruitful garden as sadaqah on her behalf.” And many more statements attributed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by his beloved companions, which has been verified as authentic by muhaddith (specialists and expert of hadith and its chains of narration).
Prayers are very important for the deceased. Prayers for forgiveness offered by both sons and daughters of the deceased bring great benefits, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A man’s status will be raised in Paradise and he will ask, ‘How did I get here?’ He will be told, ‘By your son’s du’aa’s (prayers) for forgiveness for you.” (Reported by Ibn Maajah, no 3660; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1617)
OTHER ACTS FOR OUR DEAD
Other deeds that may also benefit the deceased are Hajj and ‘Umrah on their behalf, after the living person has first performed Hajj and ‘Umrah on his or her own behalf.
Another thing that may benefit the deceased is to fulfill their nadhr (vow), because Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that a woman came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said: “My mother made a vow to perform Hajj but she died before she could do it. Can I perform Hajj on her behalf?” He said, “Yes, perform Hajj on her behalf. Don’t you think that if your mother owed a debt you would pay it off?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “Then pay off what is owed to Allah, for Allah is more deserving of having vows fulfilled.” (Al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, 7315) The list is endless.
In conclusion, the idea of eight days ‘fidau’- ceremonial gathering for the dead – originated from ancient Yoruba tradition, which was later introduced into Islam by early Yoruba scholars. Eight days after a person is buried, they gather to pray for him, and in some cases they eat, drink and dance. They also gather 40 days after the person’s death for another ‘fidau’ prayer.
To buttress this, the scholars of the Standing Committee in Saudi Arabia traced the origin of eight and 40 days fidau to the time of Pharaoh of Egypt. According to their fatwa (verdict), its origin lies in Pharaonic customs, which were known to the Pharaohs before Islam, then they spread to other people. It is a reprehensible innovation that has no basis in Islam, and it is refuted by the proven words of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected”, as narrated by al-Bukhaari.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG IN ORGANISING FIDAU
ENCOMIUM Weekly also sought the views of some scholars on Fidau. They all submitted that it is not totally out of place in Islam. They added that the approach only needs to be modified.
According to Iman Abdulwaheed Akomolesin, there is nothing wrong in praying for the dead, either individually or in group. He also substantiated his claim with one of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SWA), as narrated by Abu Hurayah, which says, “When a muslim dies, all of his deeds are terminated except for three things: An ongoing Sadeqal (voluntary charity), a knowledge of Islam (Al-Ilim Naafiha) which others benefitted from and a righteous child he left behind that makes du’a (prayer for him). The prayer is where the Fidau comes in, which, according to him, can be done at any time.
“There is nothing wrong in organizing Fidau. It can be performed at any time, either on a daily basis or at any time whether specified or not. The practice is not new in Islam. It has been in existence for long. The essence of corporate prayer is to earn the deceased bountiful reward. Even the idea of 8th day and 40th day Fidau was supported by one of the greatest scholars in Misra, Egypt, Imam Shuyuti (not in this century). “So, Fidau is Islamic. But the aspect we need to address is the way people have turned it to elaborate celebration where they even give their guests alcohol, which is forbidden in Islam”.
This was also corroborated by Imam Raji Musa, who said, “Fidau is a prayer for the deceased who was a muslim till he died. It’s just like a sacrifice you make on behalf of the dead and the reward of such goes to the dead. But what brought in disparity among scholars is the way some clerics have turned it to business. Some will even fight over the money realized at such occasion.
“Some will even go to the extent of inviting musicians, entertaining their guests with alcohol and all that, which is not acceptable in Islam. Those are the reasons some scholars don’t support it but if anybody does it rightly, there is no punishment on that. It’s not even a fundamental issue in Islam”.
Also Alfa Saidi Ojo said, “I don’t know why some people are still contesting the issue of fidau. It’s supported by Quran and Hadith that we can pray our deed on. It’s only that it has be moderate, not extravagant”.
– TADE ASIFAT AND RASHEED ABUBAKAR
