Question:

The questioner has another question, Your Eminence the Sheikh: Is it permissible to use the word “Al-Marhoom” for the dead—for example, to say: “Al-Marhoom so-and-so”? Please advise us and may you be rewarded.

Answer:

If someone says, while speaking about a dead person: “Al-Marhoom” (the deceased or the one who has been shown mercy.) or “Al-Mghfoor lahu” (the forgiven), or something similar, and uses it as a statement of fact (as a report), then that is not permissible. This is because he does not know whether mercy has been attained for the person or not, and a matter of the unknown is not permissible for a person to assert with certainty. Furthermore, this constitutes testifying to his mercy or forgiveness without knowledge, and testifying without knowledge is forbidden.

However, if one says that by way of supplication (du’a) and hope that Allah Almighty will forgive him and have mercy upon him, then there is nothing wrong with it, and no harm in it. There is no difference between saying “Al-Marhoom” or “So-and-so—may Allah have mercy on him,” because both expressions are suitable for use as a report or as a supplication; it depends on the intention of the speaker.

There is no doubt that those who say “So-and-so is marhoom” or “So-and-so is maghfoor lahu” do not intend by this to state a fact and testify that the person has definitely received mercy and forgiveness. Rather, they intend by it hope, optimism, and supplication. Therefore, there is no harm or blame in using this word.