What is the ruling on reciting the Qur'an for the deceased, for a fee or without a fee?
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Question:
What is the ruling on reciting the Qur'an for the deceased, whether by his son or by another man, whether a relative or not, for a fee or without a fee?
Answer:
Reciting the Qur'an for the dead has no basis; rather, it is a religious innovation (bid'ah). This is the correct view. Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to be deceived by those who permit it without evidence or proof. One should not recite for the dead, neither in the graveyards nor after death before burial, nor should one recite the Qur'an to them (ithab); for there is no evidence for this. Reciting at the graves is like praying at the graves; it is not permissible because it is one of the means to associating partners with Allah (shirk). One should not pray at the grave, nor recite at it, nor sit at it to make supplication. However, when one visits the graves, he should greet them, make supplication for them, and then leave, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1569Sahih (Darussalam) And he (peace and blessings be upon him) taught his Companions that when they visited the graves, they should say: Sunan Ibn Majah 1547Sahih (Darussalam) And when he (peace and blessings be upon him) visited the graves, he would say: Sunan Abi Dawud 3237Sahih (Al-Albani) Once, he passed by the graves of the people of Madinah and said: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1053Da'if (Darussalam) This is his Sunnah (recommended practice) (peace and blessings be upon him).
As for making supplication to the dead, or calling upon them for aid, or seeking their help, this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) and is not permissible. Likewise, reciting at the grave, or reciting for the deceased in the house before he is moved to the grave, or reciting the Qur'an for them (the dead) as an offering (ithab)—there is no evidence for this. But what is prescribed (mashru') is to make supplication for them, seek forgiveness for them, ask for mercy for them, give charity on their behalf, perform Hajj (the major pilgrimage) for them, perform 'Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) for them, and pay off their debts. All of this is required and benefits the deceased. As for reciting for him or praying for him, there is no evidence for it. May Allah help us. Yes.
The presenter: And Allah is the Helper, may Allah reward you with good.
What is the ruling on reciting the Qur'an for the deceased, whether by his son or by another man, whether a relative or not, for a fee or without a fee?
Answer:
Reciting the Qur'an for the dead has no basis; rather, it is a religious innovation (bid'ah). This is the correct view. Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to be deceived by those who permit it without evidence or proof. One should not recite for the dead, neither in the graveyards nor after death before burial, nor should one recite the Qur'an to them (ithab); for there is no evidence for this. Reciting at the graves is like praying at the graves; it is not permissible because it is one of the means to associating partners with Allah (shirk). One should not pray at the grave, nor recite at it, nor sit at it to make supplication. However, when one visits the graves, he should greet them, make supplication for them, and then leave, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Visit 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
السلام عليكم أهل الديار! من المؤمنين والمسلمين، وإنا -إن شاء الله- بكم لاحقون، نسأل الله لنا ولكم العافية، يرحم الله المستقدمين منا والمستأخرينPeace be upon you, inhabitants of the dwellings who are of the community of the believers. If Allah wills we shall join you.
السلام عليكم دار قوم مؤمنين، وإنا -إن شاء الله- بكم لاحقون، غدًا مؤجلون، اللهم اغفر لأهل بقيع الغرقدPeace be upon you O inhabitants of the grave! May Allah forgive us and you; you are our predecessors and we are to follow you.
السلام عليكم يا أهل القبور، يغفر الله لنا ولكم، أنتم سلفنا، ونحن بالأثرAs for making supplication to the dead, or calling upon them for aid, or seeking their help, this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) and is not permissible. Likewise, reciting at the grave, or reciting for the deceased in the house before he is moved to the grave, or reciting the Qur'an for them (the dead) as an offering (ithab)—there is no evidence for this. But what is prescribed (mashru') is to make supplication for them, seek forgiveness for them, ask for mercy for them, give charity on their behalf, perform Hajj (the major pilgrimage) for them, perform 'Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) for them, and pay off their debts. All of this is required and benefits the deceased. As for reciting for him or praying for him, there is no evidence for it. May Allah help us. Yes.
The presenter: And Allah is the Helper, may Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.