Ash-Shaykh Bin Baz, rahimahullah, was asked the following question:

Question:

“Is it prohibited to face the grave when making du’ā for the deceased?”

Answer:

“No, it is not forbidden. Rather du’ā should be made for the deceased whether the Qiblah is being faced or not since the Prophet sallallahu alahi was salaam stood at the grave after the burial and said: ‘Seek forgiveness for your brother and ask for him to be granted firmness for verily he is being questioned now’; the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam did not say to do so while facing the Qiblah. Hence all directions are permitted to face when making du’ā [after the burial] whether he faces the Qiblah or faces the grave. Also, the sahābahs made du’ā for the deceased while they were together around the grave.” End. [Majmu’l Fataawa wa Maqaalat Ash-Shaykh Bin Baz [13/338].

Ash-Shaykh Sulaymaan Ar-Ruhayli, hafidhahullah, said:

“As for what pertains to the ruling on facing the Qiblah [after the burial], then from what is apparent [from the texts] is that the person makes du’ā in the state he is in and stands at the grave making du’ā.”. End.

Ash-Shaykh Bin Baz, rahimahullah, said:

“The du’ā that occurs for the deceased after the burial could be in any direction, whether he faces the Qiblah or other than the Qiblah, since all the people would be standing around it and making du’ā. Therefore, some would be making du’ā from one direction and others would be making du’ā facing another direction; there are no restrictions concerning this matter.” End. [Reference]

Note: There is an opinion ascribed to some scholars that it is encouraged to face the Qiblah when making du’ā for the deceased. However, they do not intend it to be done in a way of congregation or that everyone is instructed at one time to face the Qiblah together to make du’ā for the deceased.

Mentioned by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr