The ruling on reciting over the soil of a grave and then sprinkling it on the shroud of the deceased

Q: It is mentioned in *Al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib*: When a person dies, take a handful of soil from his grave and recite over it some verses—I do not remember them—then sprinkle it on his shroud, and he will not be punished in his grave. What is the authenticity of this? May Allah reward you.

A: This is something with no basis; rather, it is a reprehensible religious innovation. It is not permissible to do it, and there is no benefit in it; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not prescribe this for his Ummah. What is prescribed is that the Muslim, when he dies, is washed, shrouded, prayed over, and then buried in the Muslim cemeteries. It is prescribed for those who attend the burial to supplicate for him after the burial is completed, asking for forgiveness and steadfastness upon the truth, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do this and command it. And success is from Allah.