What is the ruling on reciting the Qur'an over the deceased before and after burial, and is it permissible for me to recite Surat Yasin over the deceased because it eases the pangs of death for him and
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : This is a caller to the program asking: What is the ruling on reciting the Qur'an over the deceased before and after burial, and is it permissible for me to recite Surat Yasin over the deceased because it eases the pangs of death for him and alleviates the punishment of the grave for him?
The Shaykh : Yes. Reciting the Qur'an over the deceased is a religious innovation (bid'ah) that has no basis in the Sunnah or in the practice of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, as far as we know. Rather, one should make du'a' (supplication) for the deceased after his death, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did when he entered upon Abu Sulayman (may Allah be pleased with him) while his eyes had burst and his soul had departed. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) closed his eyes, meaning the eyes of Abu Sulayman. Some of his family began to wail, so he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan Abi Dawud 3118Sahih (Al-Albani) This indicates the encouragement of making du'a' for the deceased at the time of his death. As for reciting the Qur'an over him, there is no basis for it.
As for reciting Yasin over the one who is dying, meaning the one in the process of death, this is a matter in which scholars have differed, based on the hadith reported on this. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, as is reported from him:Bulugh al-Maram 537 The scholars have mentioned that among the benefits of reciting it is that it eases the passing of the deceased. I do not know of anyone who said that it alleviates the punishment of the grave. However, some scholars have graded this hadith as weak. If the hadith is weak, it is not a proof. Then, if we say that reciting it over the deceased is recommended (mustahabb), if a person knows that the deceased is strong in resolve and calm, let him recite it in an audible voice. And if he fears that the dying patient will be disturbed by hearing the recitation of Yasin, he should recite it in a low voice.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes. Reciting the Qur'an over the deceased is a religious innovation (bid'ah) that has no basis in the Sunnah or in the practice of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, as far as we know. Rather, one should make du'a' (supplication) for the deceased after his death, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did when he entered upon Abu Sulayman (may Allah be pleased with him) while his eyes had burst and his soul had departed. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
O Allah, forgive Abu Sulayman, expand for him in his grave, illuminate for him therein, raise his rank among the guided, and compensate him in his family.
اللهم اغفر لأبي سلمة وافسح له في قبره ونوّر له فيه وارفع درجته في المهديّين واخلفه في عقبهDo not pray for yourself anything but good, for the angels utter Amin to what you say.
لا تدعوا على أنفسكم إلا بخير فإن الملائكة يؤمّنون على ما تقولونAs for reciting Yasin over the one who is dying, meaning the one in the process of death, this is a matter in which scholars have differed, based on the hadith reported on this. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, as is reported from him:
Recite Yasin (Surah no. 36), over those who are dying.
اقرؤوا على موتاكم يسThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.