Reminders and Guidance at the Graveyards

Question:
The issue of guidance and reminders at the graveyards: does it have a basis in the Shari'ah?

Answer:
Making it a regular practice has no basis in the Shari'ah. Making it a regular practice turns it into a custom, and it becomes something that has no basis. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) only did it once, and for a reason. He did it once, and the reason was that they found the grave had not yet been fully prepared. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sat down, and his Companions sat around him, as if there were birds on their heads. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took advantage of this time to remind them. So if something like this happens, and the people arrive before the preparation of the grave is complete, he reminds them; they sit down and he reminds them, just as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did. But if the grave is prepared and they arrive to find it prepared and finished, they engage in burying the deceased. And when they finish burying him, they stand over it and seek forgiveness for him and ask for steadfastness for him, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded. This is the way of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding the burial of the dead. Yes.