Reciting the Qur’an for the Dead

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

1. Reciting Qur’an for the Dead:

There is no basis for such an act, as neither the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) nor the Companions recited the Qur’an upon the dead. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated that the Prophet (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]

When the Messenger of Allah (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) delivered the Khutbah (sermon) on Friday, he would say: “The best of speech is 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 innovated ones, and every Bid’ah is a means of deviation (i.e. a misguidance).” [Muslim] An-Nasa’i added: “and every misguidance is in Hell-Fire.”

2. Reciting al-Fatihah (the Opening Surah) for the Dead:

Reciting al-Fatihah for the dead is not a Sunnah act; therefore, one shouldn’t do it, because the acts of worship are based on the forbiddance and ban unless it is proven to be permitted and legitimate. The evidence for that is what Allah has repudiated (denied) for those who have instituted a religion which Allah has not ordained.  Allah Almighty said:

“Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not ordained.” [Ash-Shura 42:21]

Also, the Prophet (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.” And if the act is rejected, then it is in vain and wrong for that person to use it to seek nearness to Allah Almighty

Hiring someone to recite the Qur’an and give the reward of his recitation to the deceased is forbidden (considered a sin), and one should not accept payment for reciting the Qur’an. He who accepts a wage for reciting the Qur’an is considered a sinner and there is no reward for him. Reciting the Qur’an is an act of worship and one should not seek the worldly reward from it. Allah Almighty said:

“Whosoever desires the life of the world and its glitter; to them We shall pay in full (the wages of) their deeds therein, and they will have no diminution therein.” [Hud 11:15] [Fatawa of Shaikh Bin ‘Uthaimeen, Noor alad-Darb, part 1]

3. Reciting Qur’an for one’s Parents:

Reciting the Qur’an and giving the reward to one’s parents has been permitted by most scholars although it is not quoted (by the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) and the Companions), so one should not take it into consideration.  The majority (of the scholars) didn’t allow it due to lack of evidence for it but if someone does it occasionally (sometimes), he should not be denied upon. [Fatawa Shaikh bin Jibreen]

4. Reciting al-Fatihah for one’s Parents:

Reciting al-Fatihah for deceased parents or other dead is an innovation, as it is not quoted that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alaihi wa sallam) approved of it nor did he himself perform it. What is lawful is to invoke Allah for one’s parents during prayers or after prayers, and to ask Allah for forgiveness and mercy for them, and other beneficial supplications. [Fatawa Shaikh al-Fowzan – Noor alad-Darb, part 3]