Source: Shumara al-Sunnah, Jhelum
❖ Question:
What is the ruling on commemorating a death anniversary (known as “Barsi” or “Urs”)?
❖ Answer:
⚠️ Commemorating a death anniversary is a blameworthy innovation (بدعت قبیحہ) and has no basis in Islam. On such occasions, numerous un-Islamic customs and innovations are introduced, all of which have no origin in Sharī‘ah.
❖ Quranic Evidence:
Allah says:
﴿أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللَّهُ﴾
“Do they have partners (with Allah) who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not permitted?”
(Surah Ash-Shura: 21)
🔹 This verse criticizes people who invent religious practices without Allah’s permission.
🔹 Such acts are nothing but man-made religion.
❖ Hadith Evidence:
🌟 Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Whoever does an act that is not in accordance with our command, it is rejected.”
(Sahih Muslim: 1718)
🔸 This Hadith clearly states that any religious act without prophetic endorsement is invalid.
❖ Practice of the Salaf:
☑ The Sahabah (Companions) and early generations of Muslims never commemorated anniversaries after someone’s death.
☑ They were the most knowledgeable, the most pious, and the closest in love to the Prophet ﷺ.
☑ If they did not perform such acts, we have no right to introduce them.
❖ Allah’s Command:
﴿أُولَـٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ فَبِهُدَىٰهُمُ ٱقْتَدِه﴾
“They are those whom Allah has guided, so follow their guidance.”
(Surah Al-An’am: 90)
❖ Summary:
✘ Observing a death anniversary is a non-Islamic, cultural innovation.
✘ It violates the prophetic tradition and goes against the practice of the Companions.
✔ The only correct way is to follow authentic Sunnah, perform regular charity, and supplicate for the deceased, without fixing dates or rituals.
