What is the ruling on reciting Surat Yasin for the deceased?

Question : The questioner asks: What is your opinion regarding people who, when they bury their dead, recite Surat Yasin over them, followed by Surat al-Fatihah, more than once, sometimes up to four times, around the graves of the deceased? Is this contrary to the religion?

Answer : Yes, reciting over the dead after they have been buried is an invented matter and an innovation (bid'ah). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Therefore, it is not permissible for a person, when someone dies, to go to his grave and recite over him, or to hire someone to recite over him at his grave. If he is sincere in his desire to benefit the deceased, he should make supplication (du'a') for him. He should make supplication for this deceased person while he is in his home. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to visit the graves, but he did not recite the Qur'an over them, neither al-Fatihah nor anything else. Rather, he would say: "Peace be upon you, abode of a people of faith. And we, if Allah wills, will join you. May Allah have mercy on those of us who have gone before and those who come after. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you. O Allah, do not deprive us of their reward, and do not test us after them," or words to that effect. He did not recite the Qur'an over them, neither al-Fatihah nor anything else.