Reciting the Qur’an during the days of Condolences

Source: Bida’ an-Nas Fil-Qur’an, by Abu Anas, Ali bin Husain Abu Loaz, published by Dar al-Watan.

1) Using speakers to recite the Qur’an at the house during days of condolences and when carrying the deceased in the car (during the funeral procession):

This is no doubt an innovation as it was not known or practiced during the days of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) nor during the era of the Companions, because the Qur’an offers consolation when one reads it to himself, not when it is broadcast over the speakers.

Also, the assembly of the family of the deceased receiving condolences from people was not known then. Some scholars said it is an innovation; therefore, we can see that to sit and receive people who come to offer condolences is not lawful. However, if they meet someone by chance in the market or if this person comes unexpectedly to pay condolences without them knowing prior to that, then it is permissible.

Meeting people was not common in the era of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam), even the Companions considered that the assembly of the family of the deceased and setting a meal was considered as wailing, and wailing is one of the major sins.  The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) cursed the wailing woman and she who listens to her. He (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If the wailing woman does not repent before she dies, she will be made to stand on the Day of Resurrection wearing a garment of tar (pitch) and a chemise of mange.” [Muslim]

So our advice is to avoid inventions as it is best for them and best for the deceased, because the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said that the dead is tortured because of the lamentation (the cry) of the  living. “Tortured” means that he is hurt from the crying and wailing, even if he will not be punished the same way as the one who does it, because Allah Almighty said:

“And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden.” [Fatir 35:18] The torture is not a punishment as the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Traveling is a kind of torture” [Al-Bukhari], so it is pain, worry and other similar feelings. [Fatawa Shaikh al-Fowzan – Noor alad-Darb – part 2]

2) Reciting the Qur’an at graves and in the house of the deceased:

First:  Reciting the Qur’an at graves is forbidden, and the most correct point of view of the scholars is that the reward for that recital does not reach the deceased, and it is an innovation. There is a Fatwa (jurisdiction) on a similar question that states: “The recital of the Qur’an is an act of worship, so one should not take a wage for doing it, nor should he pay someone to recite, and there is no reward for such a case, and the one who pays and the one who receives payment are considered sinners.”

Shaikh ul-Islam bin Taymiyyah (Rahimahullaah) said: “It is not correct to hire anyone to recite the Qur’an and give the reward to the dead, as none of the Imams performed such acts, and the scholars have said: ‘The one who gets paid to recite the Qur’an will not get reward. So what exactly is he presenting to the dead?’”

All acts of worship are based on prohibition, unless the Islamic law states its legality otherwise. Allah Almighty said:

“Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)).” [An-Nisa’ 4:59] and Allah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected” [Muslim], and in another version, he (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “He who did any act for which there is no sanction on our behalf, that is to be rejected.” [Muslim]

Such an act has not been done by the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and the best of speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the guidance shown by Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam). And the most evil of affairs are innovations, and all the good is to follow what the Messenger of Allah has brought to us. Allah Almighty said:

“And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allah [i.e. follows Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism, worships Allah (Alone) with sincere Faith in the (1) Oneness of His Lordship, (2) Oneness of His worship, and (3) Oneness of His Names and Qualities], while he is a Muhsin (good-­doer i.e., performs good deeds totally for Allah’s Sake without any show-off or to gain praise or fame etc. and does them in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger Muhammad e), then he has grasped the most trustworthy hand­hold [La ilaha illa-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)].” [Luqman 31:22]

And He (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aala) said:

“Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allah (i.e. follows Allah’s Religion of Islamic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e., performs good deeds totally for Allah’s Sake only, without any show off or to gain praise or fame, etc., and in accordance with the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam)), then his reward is with his Lord (Allah), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” [Al-Baqarah 2:112]

The most evil of acts is to violate what the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) has guided to and to have one’s intentions for any deed to anyone but Allah.

Second: Sitting in the house of the deceased for three days or more to accept condolences and recite the Qur’an is not permissible. [Fatawa of Permanent Committee of Ifta’ no. 2927]