PRAISING THE DEAD IN A HARAAM MANNER

QUESTION

Recently a young man was killed in an accident. He was speeding on a motorbike, overtook on a blind rise and died in the head-on-collision with the oncoming vehicle. This accident happened well after midnight. His brother published on the whatsapp group a lengthy obituary full of praises which, to many of us, appear to be gross exaggeration. Is it permissible to circulate this obituary?  I am sending it to The Majlis for comment.

ANSWER

It is haraam to circulate it. The obituary is indeed most lamentable, and glaringly haraam. It even verges on kufr. It is baseless speculation regarding the current status of the deceased by Allah Ta’ala. The writer has acted as if he is aware of the decree of Allah Ta’ala pertaining to his brother, and as if he has been notified by Allah Ta’ala of his brother being in Jannat.

In addition to the considerable drivel in the obituary, the intention of the writer is also questionable. What is achieved by issuing such unfounded, exaggerated praises about one’s deceased brother? What benefit does he see in his obituary. What service has he rendered to his deceased brother with his nonsensical and haraam obituary?  Instead of wasting time on the computer/cellphone typing drivel, he should have engaged in Tilaawat of the Qur’aan Majeed, and made Dua of Maghfirat for his brother. Who knows what the status of the deceased is? But his brother acts as if information has been divinely conveyed to him of the condition of the deceased.

If he is sincere in his emotional ‘love’ for his brother, what need does he have to advertise it in a haraam manner to all and sundry? He should be contented with the Amal shown to us by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He should restrict his emotion and love to deeds of Thawaab which will truly be appreciated by his deceased brother, not engage in stupidity which has absolutely no benefit for the deceased.

In fact the circumstances of the demise should be gleaned over and even concealed. In order not to cause more grief to the parents, we shall refrain from elaborating further on the circumstances of the death.

However, we must add by way of naseehat to those bikers who constitute the gang to which the deceased had belonged that their biking activities deep into the night, past midnight, are absolutely satanic and haraam. Allah’s Wrath settles on them. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) prohibited even mere halaal, unnecessary worldly conversation after Isha’ Salaat. All sporting and nafsaani activities even at all times are major sins and haraam.

We had called two members of this biking gang and offered them naseehat and warned them that they are next on the list for the Athaab of Allah Ta’ala if they will continue with their haraam biking activities. We take this opportunity to warn all of these bikers who indulge in their biking shaitaaniyat well after midnight at the time when Allah Ta’ala calls on His servants from the Fourth Sama’, to abandon this biking shataaniyat.

The obituary glorifies biking which is a haraam sport. May Allah Ta’ala guide them all to understand their folly and the spiritual and even physical harm and ruin they bring on themselves with their haraam biking activity.

10 Rabiuth Thaani 1443 – 15 November 2023