Source: Fatāwā Arkān Islām
Reciting the Qur'an at graves is considered a bidʿah (innovation), as this practice is neither established from the Noble Prophet ﷺ nor from his noble Companions (رضي الله عنهم). When an act is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions, Muslims should refrain from initiating any new form of worship on their own.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«وَکُلُّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ وَکُلُّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ وَکُلُّ ضَلَالَةٍ فِی النَّارِ»
(Sunan an-Nasā’ī, al-ʿĪdayn, Chapter: How the Khutbah is Delivered, Ḥadīth: 1579)
"Every newly introduced matter is a bidʿah, and every bidʿah is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire."
It is obligatory upon Muslims to follow in the footsteps of the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn (رضي الله عنهم) and the Tābiʿīn (رحمهم الله), so that they may remain steadfast upon goodness and guidance.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«خير الكلام كلام الله، وخير الهدى هدى محمد»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Jumuʿah, Chapter: Lightening the Prayer and the Khutbah, Ḥadīth: 867)
"Indeed, the best speech is the Speech of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ﷺ."
It is permissible to stand near a grave and supplicate for the deceased, and there is no harm in this. One may make simple supplications such as:
◈ O Allah, forgive him.
◈ O Allah, have mercy on him.
◈ O Allah, admit him into Paradise.
◈ O Allah, expand his grave.
However, if a person intentionally and deliberately goes to a grave to supplicate for themselves, this act is a bidʿah. Designating a specific place for worship must be based on Sharʿi evidence or the Sunnah. If a place is specified without Sharʿi proof, it becomes an innovation.
◈ Reciting Qur'an at graves is bidʿah.
◈ Supplicating for the deceased at the grave is permissible.
◈ Supplicating for oneself at the grave (with intention of designating it as a place) is bidʿah.
◈ Following the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn is obligatory to remain upon goodness and guidance.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Ruling on Reciting Qur'an at Graves
Reciting the Qur'an at graves is considered a bidʿah (innovation), as this practice is neither established from the Noble Prophet ﷺ nor from his noble Companions (رضي الله عنهم). When an act is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions, Muslims should refrain from initiating any new form of worship on their own.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«وَکُلُّ مُحْدَثَةٍ بِدْعَةٌ وَکُلُّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ وَکُلُّ ضَلَالَةٍ فِی النَّارِ»
(Sunan an-Nasā’ī, al-ʿĪdayn, Chapter: How the Khutbah is Delivered, Ḥadīth: 1579)
"Every newly introduced matter is a bidʿah, and every bidʿah is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire."
The Importance of Following the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn
It is obligatory upon Muslims to follow in the footsteps of the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn (رضي الله عنهم) and the Tābiʿīn (رحمهم الله), so that they may remain steadfast upon goodness and guidance.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«خير الكلام كلام الله، وخير الهدى هدى محمد»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Jumuʿah, Chapter: Lightening the Prayer and the Khutbah, Ḥadīth: 867)
"Indeed, the best speech is the Speech of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad ﷺ."
Supplicating for the Deceased at the Grave
It is permissible to stand near a grave and supplicate for the deceased, and there is no harm in this. One may make simple supplications such as:
◈ O Allah, forgive him.
◈ O Allah, have mercy on him.
◈ O Allah, admit him into Paradise.
◈ O Allah, expand his grave.
Supplicating for Oneself at the Grave
However, if a person intentionally and deliberately goes to a grave to supplicate for themselves, this act is a bidʿah. Designating a specific place for worship must be based on Sharʿi evidence or the Sunnah. If a place is specified without Sharʿi proof, it becomes an innovation.
Conclusion
◈ Reciting Qur'an at graves is bidʿah.
◈ Supplicating for the deceased at the grave is permissible.
◈ Supplicating for oneself at the grave (with intention of designating it as a place) is bidʿah.
◈ Following the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn is obligatory to remain upon goodness and guidance.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
