Aslam

Praise be to Allah.Firstly: if a relative or close friend dies

in another country, a person may travel to attend the funeral prayers

if that is easy to do. There is nothing wrong with this travelling because

it is travelling for a legitimate purpose, even though this action was

not known among Muslims in the past. It was not done in the past because

they were not able to do that, unlike today when travelling has become

easier with faster methods of transportation.

With regard to offering the funeral

prayer for the deceased in absentia, there is a great deal of difference

of opinion among the scholars on this matter, because it is not reported

that the Prophet (peace and blessings

of Allaah be upon him) did that, except in the case of the Negus (ruler

of Abyssinia), and it was not narrated that the Muslims outside of Madeenah

prayed for the Prophet (peace and

blessings of Allaah be upon him) in absentia when he died, even though

their love for him was so great.

Also, it is not reported that the Muslims

prayed in absentia for any of the khulafaa’ al-raashideen (the rightly-guided

khaleefahs, the first four leaders of Islam after the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)) when they died. Prayer

for the dead in absentia was not known among the Muslims even though

circumstances might have dictated it, such as the eagerness of the Muslims

to do something of benefit for their brothers, especially those who

were held in high esteem by all the Muslims, or one to whom one is related

or who one is fond of, which would make one seek to do something good

for him by praying for him. For this reason, scholars such as Shaykh

al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah were of the view that the fact that the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah

be upon him) prayed for the Negus was an exceptional case which applied

only to him, because there was no one in the land where he died who

could offer the janaazah prayer for him. In my view, this is a sound

view in the light of the above. Some scholars say that the funeral prayer

in absentia may be offered only for certain people among the ummah,

such as famous scholars and just rulers; this view is close to the previous

view.

On this basis, there is no reason why

the funeral prayer should not be offered for the deceased both when

one is present and in absentia.

Secondly:

Gathering to read Qur’aan and give the reward for that

to the deceased is a bid’ah (reprehensible innovation), even if it is

not done in return for any payment. If it is done in return for payment

then it is haraam, because it is being done for a reason other than

for the sake of Allaah, and any such action will not earn any reward.

But if a person reads Qur’aan by himself and gives the reward for that

to a relative or friend, without gathering with others for that purpose

and without seeking payment, then there are two scholarly views in this

case, one of which says that it is permissible and that the reward for

the reading will reach the deceased.

The second view is that it is not prescribed

to give the reward for the reading to anyone, because there is no evidence

(daleel) to indicate that this is prescribed.

Thirdly:

If the family of the deceased have a special reading,

and invite people to a meal three days and forty days after the death,

this is bid’ah (reprehensible innovation).

And every bid’ah is a going astray.

The Messenger of Allaah (peace

and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever invents something

in this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) that is not a part of it will have

it rejected.” The action mentioned is a matter that has been invented

in the religion, so it is to be rejected, and the one who does it is

a sinner and will not be rewarded.

What people say about the soul of the

deceased visiting the house after forty days to get the reward is a

lie which has no basis. The person who told you that the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his Companions did not

do any of these things was right. You did well to ask about the things

of which you were unsure, and your eagerness to know the Sunnah of the

Prophet (peace and blessings of

Allaah be upon him) and act accordingly is highly commendable. This

is how the Muslim should be; his concern should be to know the truth

so that he can follow it, and know what is false so that he can avoid

it.

We ask Allaah to make us and you steadfast

in following the Straight Path. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad

and his family and companions, and grant them peace.