Three Grave-Related Innovations and Their Islamic Rulings
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله:
The stronger scholarly view is that reciting Qur’an at the grave after burial is a bid‘ah.
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 2, p. 68)
Al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, Saudi Arabia:
The Prophet ﷺ frequently visited graves, but there is no authentic report that he recited Surah al-Fatihah or any other portion of the Qur’an for the deceased at the graves.
If such an act was permissible, the Prophet ﷺ would have done it and made it clear to the Companions (رضي الله عنهم).
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, p. 58)
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz رحمه الله:
Saying the adhan and iqamah when placing the deceased in the grave is without any doubt a bid‘ah.
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 2, p. 18)
Al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, Saudi Arabia:
Some people stand silently for a short while upon the death of martyrs or prominent figures as a sign of respect.
(Abu Dawood 1304, Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 2, p. 8)
Conclusion:
All three practices — Qur’an recitation at graves, adhan/iqamah when burying the deceased, and standing in silence upon someone’s death — are innovations without any basis in the Qur’an, Sunnah, or the way of the Companions. A Muslim must avoid these acts and follow only the authentic guidance of the Prophet ﷺ and the Salaf al-Salih.
1 — Reciting Qur’an at the Grave
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله:
The stronger scholarly view is that reciting Qur’an at the grave after burial is a bid‘ah.
- There is no example of this from the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
- Neither did the Prophet ﷺ command it, nor did he do it himself, nor did the Companions (رضي الله عنهم) practice it.
- If Qur’an recitation at graves was part of the Shari‘ah, the Prophet ﷺ would have instructed it so that the Ummah would know.
- Similarly, gathering in homes to recite Qur’an for the deceased as a form of “Isal al-Thawab” also has no evidence from the Sunnah or from the practice of the Salaf.
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 2, p. 68)
Al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, Saudi Arabia:
The Prophet ﷺ frequently visited graves, but there is no authentic report that he recited Surah al-Fatihah or any other portion of the Qur’an for the deceased at the graves.
If such an act was permissible, the Prophet ﷺ would have done it and made it clear to the Companions (رضي الله عنهم).
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, p. 58)
2 — Saying Adhan and Iqamah When Placing the Deceased in the Grave
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz رحمه الله:
Saying the adhan and iqamah when placing the deceased in the grave is without any doubt a bid‘ah.
- Allah ﷻ has revealed no evidence for this practice.
- It is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ nor from the Companions (رضي الله عنهم).
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 2, p. 18)
3 — Standing in Silence Upon Someone’s Death
Al-Lajnah al-Da’imah, Saudi Arabia:
Some people stand silently for a short while upon the death of martyrs or prominent figures as a sign of respect.
- This is one of the bid‘ah and munkar acts that were not practiced in the time of the Prophet ﷺ, the Companions (رضي الله عنهم), or the Salaf al-Salih.
- It goes against the etiquettes of Tawheed and sincerity to Allah ﷻ.
- Sadly, some ignorant Muslims imitate the disbelievers in this innovation, adopting their corrupt customs and exaggerating in the veneration of leaders and elders.
- The Prophet ﷺ prohibited resemblance to the disbelievers.
(Abu Dawood 1304, Fatawa Islamiyyah, vol. 2, p. 8)
Conclusion:
All three practices — Qur’an recitation at graves, adhan/iqamah when burying the deceased, and standing in silence upon someone’s death — are innovations without any basis in the Qur’an, Sunnah, or the way of the Companions. A Muslim must avoid these acts and follow only the authentic guidance of the Prophet ﷺ and the Salaf al-Salih.
