Guide to Sending Al-Fatihah for Beloved Ones Who Have Passed Away, Along with Its Virtues

Kapanlagi.com - In Islamic teachings, we are taught that every deed will cease when a person passes away. However, there are three deeds whose rewards continue to flow even after we are gone: ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah), beneficial knowledge, and prayers from a righteous child. Therefore, it is very important for us to understand how to send Al-Fatihah to our beloved ones who have preceded us, such as parents, teachers, or those who have contributed to our lives.

One of the virtues of reciting Surah Al-Fatihah is its ability to alleviate the torment of the grave. This is emphasized in a hadith narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar: "I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say, 'When one of you dies, do not delay and hasten to take him to his grave, and let Al-Fatihah be recited near his head.'" (HR. Baihaqi).

So, how do we send Al-Fatihah to those who have passed away? Let us follow the steps that have been summarized by KapanLagi.com from various sources, on Monday (3/3/2025). By understanding this method, we can continue to send prayers and rewards to those we love, even though they have departed.

1. Gift Al-Fatihah to Prophet Muhammad SAW First

In this life, there are deeds that continue to flow even after we have passed away, one of which is the prayers from the righteous children we leave behind. Therefore, it is important for us to understand how to send Al-Fatihah to those who have departed, so they can feel the benefits of this blessed surah.

To send Al-Fatihah, we can begin with the recitation "ila ruhi," "ila arwah," or "ila hadroti." The recitation "ila hadroti" is intended for special figures such as the Prophet Muhammad SAW and the prophets, while "ila arwahi" is used for many people who have passed away at once, and "ila ruhi" for specific prayers to certain individuals.

Before sending Al-Fatihah, we usually start by dedicating the recitation to Prophet Muhammad SAW, so that we can also receive blessings and intercession from him. By dedicating Al-Fatihah to Prophet Muhammad SAW, it is hoped that we can also receive his blessings and intercession.

The way to send Al-Fatihah to Prophet Muhammad SAW is by opening Al-Fatihah with the following recitation,

"Ila hadrotinn nabiyyil musthofa, Muhammad shollalloohu 'alaihi wasallam Al-Fatihah ..."

After that, continue by reciting Surah Al-Fatihah.

2. How to Send Al-Fatihah for the Deceased Specifically

After dedicating Al-Fatihah for the Prophet Muhammad SAW, the way to send Al-Fatihah for the deceased begins by reciting, "khususon ila ruhi." This recitation aims for the prayer sent to the grave to be more perfect and to reach its destination accurately.

Here is the prayer for the deceased:

"Khushuushon ilaa ruuhi ... (mention their name) bin ... (mention the father's name if known). Allahumaghfir lahu warhamhu wa ‘aafihi wa’fu ‘anhu, lahul faatihah.

If the deceased is a female, then 'bin' is replaced with 'binti', and the pronoun 'hu' at the end of Allahumaghfirlahu and so on is replaced with 'ha'.

"Khushuushon ilaa ruuhi ... (mention their name) binti ... (mention the father's name if known). Allahumaghfir laha warhamha wa ‘aafihi wa’fu ‘anha, lahul faatihah."

Meaning: "Specifically for the soul of ... (mention their name) the son of ... (mention the father's name). O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him, save him, and pardon him, for him Al-Fatihah."

Only after that, continue by reciting Al-Fatihah.

3. Reading Al Fatihah, Arabic, Latin, and Its Translation

4. The Virtue of Sending Al Fatihah for the Deceased

The way to send Al-Fatihah for the deceased has actually been taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW, as explained in the hadith narrated by Baihaqi below,

Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar, he said: "I once heard the Messenger of Allah SAW say, 'When one of you dies, do not delay and hasten to take him to his grave, and let Al-Fatihah be recited near his head.'" (HR.Baihaqi)

The way to send Al-Fatihah for the deceased taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW is certainly due to the various virtues and benefits of this surah, especially when it is dedicated to the deceased. The benefits of sending Al-Fatihah for the deceased are as follows:

1. Lightening the Punishment of the Grave

One of the benefits of sending Al-Fatihah for the deceased is that it can lighten the punishment of the grave. Al-Fatihah is a surah that is recommended to be recited for the deceased besides Surah Yasin, as mentioned in the following hadith,

"Whoever enters the cemetery and recites Al-Fatihah and Surah Yasin, then Allah will lighten the punishment of the inhabitants of the grave, and he will be granted goodness equal to the number of those buried there." (HR.Abdul Aziz)

2. Intercession for the Deceased

Another benefit of sending Al-Fatihah for the deceased is that the recitation can serve as intercession, as explained in the following hadith,

From Abu Hurairah ra, he said that the Messenger of Allah SAW once said:

"Whoever enters the cemetery and recites Al-Fatihah, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah At-Takatsur, then says, 'O Allah, I have made the reward of this recitation of the Quran for the inhabitants of the graves from the believing men and women,' then they (the recitation of the Quran) will become intercession for him." (HR. Asy-Suyuthi)

3. The reward flows to both parties

The next benefit of sending Al Fatihah for the deceased is that the reward flows to both parties. This means that the reward from reciting Surah Al Fatihah does not only flow to the deceased but also to the person who recites and sends it.

In the book Al-Maqashid Al-Arsyad, Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Al-Marrudzi said:

"I heard Ahmad Ibn Hanbal say, 'When you enter the cemetery, recite Al Fatihah, Al Mu'awwidzatain, and Surah Al-Ikhlas, then dedicate the reward to the deceased, for indeed the reward of that recitation will reach them.'"

5. Differences of Opinion Among Scholars

(kpl/mni)