Religious Obligations
Qadha Sawm
In short
Making up the deceased's missed fasts. The ruling on who is responsible is being confirmed.
Missed fasts of the deceased, and related dues.
Missed prayers and fasts (Qadha Salaah and Sawm)
ObligatoryAl-Islam.org states that children should make up, on behalf of their parents, the duties the parents could not perform — daily prayers, Ramadan fasts, Hajj and debts — either personally or by arranging for another person to do them for payment. Under the rulings of Sayyid al-Sistani the eldest son carries a particular responsibility for his father's missed prayers and fasts; the exact conditions are set out in his Islamic Laws under the qadha prayers of parents.
Khums, zakat, kaffarah and fidyah
ask-a-scholarThis ruling is being confirmed
Unpaid khums or zakat, and any kaffarah or fidyah the deceased owed, may need to be settled. Neither of our current sources sets out the rulings, so please ask a qualified scholar or your marja's office.
Read the primary sourceThe will (wasiyyah)
ObligatoryRead the will carefully. Instructions in it — for example, to arrange prayers, fasts or charity — should be carried out by the executor, within one third of the estate unless the heirs agree to more.
Sources and review
- Najafyia Foundation, Guide for the Relatives of Marhumeen (May 2024) — pp. 9–11
- Al-Islam.org — Death and Death Ceremonies, Part 2: Ahkaam al-Mayyit — Duties towards the deceased
- Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, Islamic Laws — rules concerning the dead — Qadha prayers of the deceased; Wills
Primary jurisprudential reference: the rulings of Sayyid Ali al-Husayni al-Sistani. Review status: Approved.