Answer: Observing a barsi (death anniversary) is an innovation (bid’ah) and a reprehensible act. Countless innovations and superstitions are committed on the occasion of a barsi. Moreover, this practice has no basis in the Shariah. Allah says:
﴿أمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاءُ شَرَعُوا لَهُمْ مِنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللهُ وَلَوْ لَا كَلِمَةُ الفَصْلِ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ﴾
“Do they have partners who have ordained for them a religion which Allah has not permitted? Had it not been for the decisive word, the matter would have been settled between them, and indeed the wrongdoers have a painful punishment.”
This is a religion invented by people. All of this is done in opposition to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said:
من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رة
“Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our command, it is rejected (mardud) and false.”
The Companions and the righteous predecessors of this Ummah were unaware of this practice. Allah has commanded the believers to follow them.
﴿أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَدَى اللَّهُ فَبِهُدَاهُمُ اقْتَدِهُ﴾
“Those are the ones whom Allah guided, so follow their guidance.”
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