Shar'i Ruling on Commemorating the Day of Death
Question:
Is it considered a bid‘ah (innovation) to commemorate the death anniversary of a Companion or a great Islamic personality, by highlighting their virtues and merits on that specific day?
Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
Commemorating the death day of any Companion or notable Islamic figure—i.e., formally observing that day or “celebrating” it—is questionable and not permissible in Shari'ah. This issue can be understood through the following key points:
◈ Designating a specific day to commemorate someone's death or organizing special ceremonies or rituals on that day is not permissible and falls under the category of bid‘ah (innovation).
◈ In Islamic teachings, no day or month is to be singled out for a religious observance unless there is an explicit Shar‘i evidence, which in this case, does not exist.
◈ If, without attaching any significance to a particular day or month, a general occasion arises to speak about the life or virtues of a great personality—such as Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه—then there is no harm in doing so, provided it is not linked to a specific calendar date.
◈ In today’s context, educating people and highlighting the services of Islamic personalities is permissible, as long as it is not treated as an official observance or a fixed annual event.
◈ Discussions about Islamic personalities and their contributions should be intended solely for spreading accurate knowledge and deriving lessons from their lives.
◈ One must refrain from assigning a particular day or month for such discussions and ensure that they remain general and informal.
Specifying a day or month to commemorate a person’s death is considered a bid‘ah and is not allowed in Islam. However, if the life and contributions of great personalities are discussed without any fixed calendar observance, and with the intent of education and reform, then such practice is permissible.
Question:
Is it considered a bid‘ah (innovation) to commemorate the death anniversary of a Companion or a great Islamic personality, by highlighting their virtues and merits on that specific day?
Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
Commemorating the death day of any Companion or notable Islamic figure—i.e., formally observing that day or “celebrating” it—is questionable and not permissible in Shari'ah. This issue can be understood through the following key points:
Specifying a Day or Month for Commemoration
◈ Designating a specific day to commemorate someone's death or organizing special ceremonies or rituals on that day is not permissible and falls under the category of bid‘ah (innovation).
◈ In Islamic teachings, no day or month is to be singled out for a religious observance unless there is an explicit Shar‘i evidence, which in this case, does not exist.
Using Occasions for Educational Purposes (Without Specificity)
◈ If, without attaching any significance to a particular day or month, a general occasion arises to speak about the life or virtues of a great personality—such as Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه—then there is no harm in doing so, provided it is not linked to a specific calendar date.
◈ In today’s context, educating people and highlighting the services of Islamic personalities is permissible, as long as it is not treated as an official observance or a fixed annual event.
Shar‘i Guidance
◈ Discussions about Islamic personalities and their contributions should be intended solely for spreading accurate knowledge and deriving lessons from their lives.
◈ One must refrain from assigning a particular day or month for such discussions and ensure that they remain general and informal.
Conclusion
Specifying a day or month to commemorate a person’s death is considered a bid‘ah and is not allowed in Islam. However, if the life and contributions of great personalities are discussed without any fixed calendar observance, and with the intent of education and reform, then such practice is permissible.
