Question Summary:
1) Is it allowed for a muslim to say RIP (Rest in Peace) for a dead person 2)Are we allowed to buy graves for ourselves in advance?…

Question Detail:

1) Is it allowed for a muslim to say RIP (Rest in Peace) for a dead person (both muslim and non-muslim)?

2) Are we allowed to buy graves for ourselves in advance? Also, if so, do we pay zakat on the value of it, since it may considered an asset, and how do we calculate its value?
3) I have a dilemma. Alhamdolillah, I make regular donation for the mosque construction, I also have some loan on me as well, e.g. Education loan (OSAP). I have been thinking that i should divert the donation money towards paying off my loan, but i feel bad to stop making donation for the mosque.

Answer :

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
1)                  R.I.P. effectively is a dua for the deceased. Muslims have been prohibited from making dua for those who have passed away on kufr. Therefore, it will not be permissible to say r.i.p. for non-Muslims. R.I.P. is commonly used amongst non-Muslims therefore; it is advisable that one does not use it. It will be better rather to use dua’s such as رحمه الله تعالى (May Allah Ta’ala have mercy on him) and similar type of dua’s for muslims.
الجامع لأحكام القرآن - (ج 8 / ص 190)
السابعة : لما قال تعالى : {وَلا تُصَلِّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ مَاتَ أَبَداً} قال علماؤنا : هذا نص في الامتناع من الصلاة على الكفار ، وليس فيه دليل على الصلاة على المؤمنين. واختلف هل يؤخذ من مفهومه وجوب الصلاة على المؤمنين على قولين. يؤخذ لأنه علل المنع من الصلاة على الكفار لكفرهم لقوله تعالى : {إِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ} فإذا زال الكفر وجبت الصلاة.
2)                  It is permissible to buy ones grave in advance. Our illustrious fuqaha mention that one will be rewarded if he prepares his own grave.
الفتاوى الهندية - (ج 1 / ص 182)
ومن حفر قبرا لنفسه فلا بأس به ويؤجر عليه كذا في التتارخانية
There will be no zakat on the grave.
فتاوى السغدي - (ج 1 / ص 166)
اما الزكاة ففي ثلاثة اشياء الذهب والفضة ومتاع التجارة وهو ربع العشر
 
3)                  One should pay his debts first. However, one should continue contributing to the Masjid even if it may be a very minimal amount as quantity does not count rather it is one’s sincerity which counts.
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Ml. Ishaq E. Moosa,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah