Is it permissible to recite the Qur'an for the deceased at funeral gatherings, and what is the ruling on these gatherings, which may last for three days?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to recite the Qur'an for the deceased in the funeral gatherings held for them, which may last for three days? Also, we ask your eminence to clarify for us whether these funeral gatherings held for the deceased are permissible?
The Shaykh : The funeral gatherings held for the deceased are, at the very least, disliked, because they are a religious innovation that was not the practice of the righteous predecessors. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:.
As for the money spent on them, if it comes from the deceased's estate and there are minors among the heirs, then that is an injustice against the minors and consuming their money without right.
Furthermore, the recitation and the reciting of the Book of Allah in these gatherings do not bring any reward, because most of the reciters who recite do so for a fee. If a reciter recites the Qur'an for a fee, he has no reward from Allah, and his reward is only what he gains in this world. If he has no reward from Allah, the deceased does not benefit from his recitation, because there is no reward in it. Thus, paying him a fee is a waste of money and its squandering. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the squandering of money.
Even if this reciter is volunteering, his attendance at this funeral gathering is an error and an approval of the religious innovation. The scholars have differed on whether the deceased benefits from the recitation of the living.
Some of them said that he benefits, and some said that he does not benefit. My advice to my brothers who hold these funeral gatherings is to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not to transgress the methodology of the righteous predecessors, for all of it is good.
Jarir ibn Abdullah said: "We used to consider gathering at the house of the deceased and preparing food to be wailing", and wailing is one of the major sins, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the wailer and the one who listens to her.
Rather, they should be patient and seek reward from Allah (Mighty and Majestic), close their doors, and not receive any of the condolence visitors, except for close relatives, who may enter and offer condolences to their relatives. As for opening the door to the people, that is not the way of the righteous predecessors.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : The funeral gatherings held for the deceased are, at the very least, disliked, because they are a religious innovation that was not the practice of the righteous predecessors. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Every innovation is misguidance.
كل بدعة ضلالةAs for the money spent on them, if it comes from the deceased's estate and there are minors among the heirs, then that is an injustice against the minors and consuming their money without right.
Furthermore, the recitation and the reciting of the Book of Allah in these gatherings do not bring any reward, because most of the reciters who recite do so for a fee. If a reciter recites the Qur'an for a fee, he has no reward from Allah, and his reward is only what he gains in this world. If he has no reward from Allah, the deceased does not benefit from his recitation, because there is no reward in it. Thus, paying him a fee is a waste of money and its squandering. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the squandering of money.
Even if this reciter is volunteering, his attendance at this funeral gathering is an error and an approval of the religious innovation. The scholars have differed on whether the deceased benefits from the recitation of the living.
Some of them said that he benefits, and some said that he does not benefit. My advice to my brothers who hold these funeral gatherings is to fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not to transgress the methodology of the righteous predecessors, for all of it is good.
Jarir ibn Abdullah said: "We used to consider gathering at the house of the deceased and preparing food to be wailing", and wailing is one of the major sins, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the wailer and the one who listens to her.
Rather, they should be patient and seek reward from Allah (Mighty and Majestic), close their doors, and not receive any of the condolence visitors, except for close relatives, who may enter and offer condolences to their relatives. As for opening the door to the people, that is not the way of the righteous predecessors.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.