Q: What is the manner of making Dua at the graveside? Should the hands be raised or not and should one face the Qiblah or not?

A: Hafiz Ibn Hajar Asqalani (Rahimahullah) has mentioned in Fathul Baari, his commentary of Sahih Bukhari, the hadith of Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radiyallahu Anhu) that he said, ‘I saw the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) at the grave of Abdullah Zul Bajadain (Radiyallahu Anhu), when he completed burying him, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) turned towards the Qiblah and raised his hands (for dua).

From the above Hadith, we can conclude that it is preferred to raise the hands when making Dua at the grave. The hands should be raised whilst facing the Qiblah when this is convenient. This is generally the case when visiting the graveyard individually or with a small group of people.

When there is a large group for a Janazah and it is not practical and convenient for all the congregants to turn and face the Qiblah at once then raising the hands in Dua whilst not facing the Qiblah is permissible when there is no fear of doubt being created in the minds of the onlookers that people are praying to or asking the inmate of the grave. Alternately, one may also make Dua without raising the hands and without facing the Qiblah which is a better option when there is a large crowd.

And Allah Knows Best
Darul Ihsan Fatwa Dept.