What is the authenticity of the hadith: “Recite Surat al-Yasin over your dead”?

The questioner: A note, my dear professor, regarding the fact that the deceased does not benefit from the recitation of the Noble Qur'an, and what is the authenticity of the hadith—what is its meaning—: or by meaning?

The Shaykh: , this hadith is not authentic. It has three defects according to the hadith scholars: the unknown narrator, the missing link, and another unknown narrator. Even if it were authentic, it would mean the same as the authentic hadith: . This is an authentic hadith narrated by Imam Muslim in his *Sahih*. The intended meaning among scholars here is , meaning those who are on the verge of death; that is, those who are about to die. If this first hadith were authentic, its understanding and interpretation would be based on the second authentic hadith: , . This is a very beautiful meaning. Why? Because this person on the verge of death, if he is taught the word of tawhid (the oneness of Allah) or hears some verses from the Noble Qur'an, it might be the cause of his guidance, even in the last moment of his life. As reported in *Sahih al-Bukhari* from the hadith of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had a Jewish boy who served him. This boy fell ill, so the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) visited him and found him in the sickness of death.” He said to him: . The boy’s Jewish father was present. The boy, without doubt, because of his service to the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and although he was Jewish, without doubt he was illuminated by his light (peace and blessings be upon him) and benefited from his character. So his heart was open to receiving this good word. But above his head was his father, who did not know what might happen; perhaps he hoped for life afterward, so he did not want to upset his father. So the boy did nothing but raise his eyes to his father, as if consulting him: “What is your opinion about what Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said?” The wicked man said to him: “Obey Muhammad.” This indicates to us and confirms for us that the Jews did not disbelieve in the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) except out of stubbornness. And as He (the Exalted) said in the Noble Qur'an: , . But what does it mean that this Jew said to his son: “Obey Abu al-Qasim”? It means that he knew that Abu al-Qasim was on the right path and in the correct. So when he said to him: “Obey Abu al-Qasim,” he said: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.” And that was his last word, and he died. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
So this teaching of the word of tawhid may be beneficial. But once the person has died, he becomes like this piece of wood. Teach this piece of wood, recite complete recitations of the Qur'an over it day and night, and it will not benefit from you at all. The deceased is like this. And therefore he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . So your first hadith: , we need to weigh it against the previous authentic, established hadith from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), or not? The answer, after the hadith scholars studied its chain of narration, is that it is not authentic; therefore...