The Fortieth Anniversary: A Pharaonic Custom
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Q: What is the origin of the fortieth anniversary? Is there any evidence for the permissibility of the mourning ceremony?
A: First: Its origin is a Pharaonic custom that existed among the Pharaohs before Islam. It then spread from them and became prevalent among others. It is a blameworthy religious innovation with no basis in Islam. It is refuted by the established statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 1718a.
Second: Mourning for the deceased and eulogizing him in the manner practiced today, by gathering for that purpose and exaggerating in praising him, is not permissible. This is based on what Ahmad and Ibn Majah narrated, and al-Hakim graded as authentic, from the hadith of Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa, who said: (The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade dirges). It is also based on the fact that mentioning the deceased's attributes usually involves boasting, renewing grief, and stirring up sorrow.
However, simply praising him when he is mentioned, or when his funeral procession passes by, or to identify him by mentioning his noble deeds and the like, similar to how some of the Companions eulogized the martyrs of Uhud and others, is permissible. This is based on what is established from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) , who said: (A funeral procession passed by and they praised it well; so he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:. Then another passed by and they spoke ill of it; so he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: What is it that has become obligatory? He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih al-Bukhari 1367.
A: First: Its origin is a Pharaonic custom that existed among the Pharaohs before Islam. It then spread from them and became prevalent among others. It is a blameworthy religious innovation with no basis in Islam. It is refuted by the established statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ردSecond: Mourning for the deceased and eulogizing him in the manner practiced today, by gathering for that purpose and exaggerating in praising him, is not permissible. This is based on what Ahmad and Ibn Majah narrated, and al-Hakim graded as authentic, from the hadith of Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa, who said: (The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade dirges). It is also based on the fact that mentioning the deceased's attributes usually involves boasting, renewing grief, and stirring up sorrow.
However, simply praising him when he is mentioned, or when his funeral procession passes by, or to identify him by mentioning his noble deeds and the like, similar to how some of the Companions eulogized the martyrs of Uhud and others, is permissible. This is based on what is established from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) , who said: (A funeral procession passed by and they praised it well; so he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
It became obligatory
وجبتIt became obligatory
وجبتYou praised this, so Paradise has been affirmed to him; and you spoke badly of this, so Hell has been affirmed to him. You people are Allah's witnesses on earth.
هذا أثنيتم عليه خيراً فوجبت له الجنة، وهذا أثنيتم عليه شرا فوجبت له النار أنتم شهداء الله في الأرض
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.