Source: Shumara al-Sunnah, Jhelum
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.
﴿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.
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.
☑ 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.
“They are those whom Allah has guided, so follow their guidance.”
(Surah Al-An'am: 90)
✘ 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.
❖ 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.
