Fatiha Sharif or Khatam Sharif

Q:

  1. Is it permissible to do Fatiha Sharif or Khatam Sharif (Recite some verses from the Qur'an like 4 Quls, Surah Fatiha, beginning verses of surah Baqra, etc) in the presence of food then convey the reward to all the deceased Muslims  and then make Dua) not thinking of Fatiha Sharif as compulsory. I was told that there is a hadith in Bukhari where the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) went to Anas (Radiyallhu Anhu's) house and food was presented in front of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) who recited from the Qur'an and then made Dua. Is this true?
  2. Will it be permissible for a person to attend Fatiha Sharif or Khatam Sharif gatherings when one is invited, not thinking of Fatiha Sharif as compulsory ?

A: Reciting any portion of the Quran and thereafter conveying its reward (i.e. esaal-e-sawaab) to the deceased is established in the Ahaadith. However, hosting a special gathering (fatiha sharif or khatam sharif gathering) and reciting four Quls, Surah Faatiha or any portion of the Quran before the meals and thereafter conveying tha sawaab of the recitation to the deceased is an unfounded practice in Islam. It does not appear anywhere in Bukhari Sharif that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) upon being presented with the food, recited from the Quran and thereafter made Dua.  

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها ، قالت : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد (مشكاة المصابيح ص27)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)