Giving charity to the people who dig the grave
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Fatwa number ( 16401 )
Q: We, the residents of the village of Badiyat al-Burak , have the practice that when one of us dies, the neighbors or others give charity to the people who dig the grave. This charity is for the people who dig the grave, and it consists of a sheep, dates, etc. This charity is not from the deceased’s money, nor from his heirs. The people cook this charity at the cemetery so that those who dig the grave can eat from it. Knowing that the intention of this money is charity for the sake of Allah the Most Merciful for these people, what is the ruling on this practice, whether it is the charity or the cooking at the cemetery, and also
the prayer, whether it is an obligatory prayer or the funeral prayer at the cemetery?
A : Charity at the grave, in the manner described in the question, is a religious innovation (bid'ah), and it must be refuted; because there is no evidence for it in the Book or the Sunnah, and it is only one of the customs of the ignorant that contradicts the Shari'ah. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1718b And what is prescribed (mashru') is charity on behalf of the deceased in a place other than the cemetery and not during the burial. What is prescribed at the grave is supplication for the deceased after his burial, asking for forgiveness and firmness upon the truth, as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded. As for prayer in the cemetery, it is not permissible, whether obligatory or voluntary, except for the funeral prayer; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade taking graves as mosques, and praying toward them. And it is established from him that he (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed the funeral prayer over the grave when he missed praying over him in the prayer place. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We, the residents of the village of Badiyat al-Burak , have the practice that when one of us dies, the neighbors or others give charity to the people who dig the grave. This charity is for the people who dig the grave, and it consists of a sheep, dates, etc. This charity is not from the deceased’s money, nor from his heirs. The people cook this charity at the cemetery so that those who dig the grave can eat from it. Knowing that the intention of this money is charity for the sake of Allah the Most Merciful for these people, what is the ruling on this practice, whether it is the charity or the cooking at the cemetery, and also
the prayer, whether it is an obligatory prayer or the funeral prayer at the cemetery?
A : Charity at the grave, in the manner described in the question, is a religious innovation (bid'ah), and it must be refuted; because there is no evidence for it in the Book or the Sunnah, and it is only one of the customs of the ignorant that contradicts the Shari'ah. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected.
من عمل عملاً ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.