The Ruling on Reciting the Qur'an at the Graves of the Dead and Dedication of Its Reward to Them
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The last question we are presenting to our brother in this session is: Is it permissible to recite the Qur'an at the grave of a deceased person, and what is established in the Shari'ah?
Answer: Likewise, reciting the Qur'an at graves has no basis; rather, it is a religious innovation. Allah has not prescribed for us recitation at graves, nor prayer at graves. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:, which indicates that graves are not a place for prayer or a place for recitation. Graves are visited for remembrance and admonition, and for supplicating for the deceased with forgiveness and mercy. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan Ibn Majah 1569Sahih (Darussalam), and he taught his Companions to say when they visited graves: Sunan Ibn Majah 1547Sahih (Darussalam), and in the hadith of A'ishah: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1053Da'if (Darussalam). So the visit is for admonition, remembrance, and doing good to the dead by supplicating for them, seeking mercy for them, and seeking forgiveness for them. As for reciting at their graves, it does not benefit them. Their deeds have been cut off. What benefits them is supplication for them, charity on their behalf, Hajj on their behalf, 'Umrah on their behalf, and paying off their debts. This is what benefits them. As for reciting at their graves, it is not prescribed; rather, it is a religious innovation. Even reciting for them and dedicating the reward to them has no evidence for it. The correct view is that it is not prescribed either, even dedicating the recitation to them. Some people may recite and make the recitation for their deceased father or mother. No, there is no evidence for this; leaving it is better.
Likewise, praying for them—prayer is not performed for them. This has not been transmitted in the Shari'ah. Rather, one supplicates for them, seeks mercy for them, gives charity on their behalf, performs Hajj on their behalf, and performs 'Umrah, and there is no harm in that. The Muslims have agreed that charity benefits the deceased, and so does supplication. As for reciting in the cemetery, or praying in the cemetery, this is a religious innovation. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: Likewise, reciting the Qur'an at graves has no basis; rather, it is a religious innovation. Allah has not prescribed for us recitation at graves, nor prayer at graves. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Make some of your prayer in your houses, and do not take them as graves, for Satan flees from the house in which Surat al-Baqarah is recited
اجعلوا من صلاتكم في بيوتكم ولا تتخذوها قبوراً، فإن الشيطان يفر من البيت الذي تقرأ فيه سورة البقرةVisit the graves, for they will remind you of the Hereafter.
زوروا القبور؛ فإنها تذكركم الآخرةAs-salamu ‘alaykum ahlad-diyar minal-mu’minina wal- muslimin, wa inna insha’ Allah bikum lahiqun, nas’alul-laha lana wa lakumul-‘afiyah (Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the abodes, believers and Muslims, and we will join you soon if Allah wills. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you).
السلام عليكم أهل الديار من المؤمنين والمسلمين وإنا إن شاء الله بكم لاحقون، نسأل الله لنا ولكم العافيةMay Allah forgive us and you; you are our predecessors and we are to follow you.
يغفر الله لنا ولكم، أنتم سلفنا ونحن بالأثرLikewise, praying for them—prayer is not performed for them. This has not been transmitted in the Shari'ah. Rather, one supplicates for them, seeks mercy for them, gives charity on their behalf, performs Hajj on their behalf, and performs 'Umrah, and there is no harm in that. The Muslims have agreed that charity benefits the deceased, and so does supplication. As for reciting in the cemetery, or praying in the cemetery, this is a religious innovation. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.