Visiting the Grave ( PART 4)

Evidence from Hadith


Proof No 1

Imam al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim write that:

"A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said 'My mother has suddenly died and she did not leave any will, but I suspect that if she did then she would have told me to give something to charity. Now if I offer something in charity on her behalf, will she get the reward?' Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, 'Yes.'Then the man said, 'I make you, the Prophet, my witness that I offer my garden full of fruits in charity'"

►[Bukhari chapter on 'Al-Wasiya' Volume 4, Book 51, Number 19]

►[Muslim, chapter on 'Al-Wasiya' Book 13, Number 4003]


This hadith, as can be clearly read, proves that to offer a charity on behalf of the deceased will result in the deceased obtaining a benefit.



Proof No 2

Imam al-Bukhari writes:

"Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has said, 'The status of the deceased is raised [during their time in the grave], and the deceased ask Allah why this has happened. Allah replies, 'Your son has prayed for your forgiveness'"

►[al-Bukhari, Al-Adab Al-Mufid, chapter on 'Excellency of Parents']


From this particular hadith it can be understood that not only charity, but the offering of prayers (making duas) and the giving of alms, will also benefit the deceased.



Proof No 3

حدّثنا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ . حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ شَقِيقٍ ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ التَّيْمِيِّ ، عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ وَلَيْسَ بِالنَّهْدِيِّ ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ مَعْقِلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ: «اِقْرَؤُوهَا عِنْدَ مَوْتَاكُمْ» يَعْنِي يَس. ‏

The Prophet of Allah Said: Recite It (Iqarahu) on ('Inda) the deceased/dying that means Surah Yaseen.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab Al Janaiz #1438)


The commentator of Sunan Ibn Majah further states:

قوله ( عند موتاكم ) ‏

His saying : On the deceased/dying -- That is to say on the dying or (Aw) after (Ba'ad) death Also.

(Sharh Sunan Ibn Majah Al Sanadi , Ibid)

In the commentary of Sunan Abu Dawud, entitled Awn Al Ma'bud Sharh Sunan Abi Dawud it states:

‏وعند النسائي من حديث ابن عباس " أنه صلى على جنازة فقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب وسورة وجهر فلما فرغ قال سنة وحق

And in NAsai the hadith from Ibn Abbas: He prayed the funeral prayer and read the Fatiha.



Proof No 4

The Prophet said: iqra'u `ala mawtakum ya seen "Read Ya Seen over those of you who are dying/deceased."

References

►Abu Dawud in his Sunan (Jana'iz)

►al-Nasa'i in his Sunan (`Amal al-yawm wal-layla),

►Ibn Majah in his Sunan (Jana'iz),

►Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (Ihsan), and he declared it sound (sahih).



Proof No 5

Narrated byMa'qil ibn Yasar al-Muzani

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "If anyone recites Ya-Sin out of a desire for Allah's favour, his past sins will be forgiven him; so recite it over those of you who are dying."

Bayhaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-Iman.

►Al-Tirmidhi Hadith No:2178



Imam Nawawi (Rehmatuallah alihe)

Proof No 6

It is narrated in Sahih Muslim from Amr bin al-Aas (RA) that he said: When you have buried me then stand around my grave for a time in which a Camel could be slaughtered and its meat is distributed, so that I may "ENJOY YOUR COMPANY" and ascertain what answer I can give to the messengers (angels) of Allah.

It is narrated in Abu Dawud and Baihaqi with "HASSAN" chain from Uthman (RA) who said: The Prophet (Peace be upon him) after burying the deceased used to stand (on his side) and say: Ask Allah for his forgivenss and that he should stand firm because he is being questioned.

Imam Shafi'i (rah) and his companions said: To recite something from Quran (at the grave) is recommended, If "KHATAM UL QURAN" is done then it is even better.

It is narrated in Sunnan Baihaqi with "HASSAN CHAIN" that Ibn Umar (ra) considered it Mustahab to recite Beginning and ending Ayahs of Surah Baqarah at the grave after burying [Kitab ul Adhkaar, Page No. 278]


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Imam Nawawi said: "Whoever visits a grave, let him greet its dweller, recite some Qur'an, and make an invocation for the deceased."

►al-Nawawi, Minhaj al-Talibin, end of Kitab al-Jana'iz.


He also said in al-Majmu` sharh al-muhadhdhab: "It is desirable (yustahabb) that one who is visiting the graves recite from the Qur'an what is easy for him to recite, after which, that he invoke Allah on their behalf. Shafi`i stipulated it and his companions all agreed with him." In another place he says: "If they conclude the recitation of the Qur'an over the grave it is better."

►Suyuti mentioned both excerpts in his Sharh al-sudur (p. 311).


"The scholars have declared desirable -- mustahabb -- the recitation of the Qur'an over the grave."

►Imam Nawai Sharh Sahih Muslim (al-Mays ed. 3/4:206)



Proof No 7


It is related that al-`Ala' ibn al-Lajlaj said to his children: "When you bury me, say as you place me in the side-opening (lahd) of the grave: Bismillah wa `ala millati rasulillah -- In the name of Allah and according to the way of Allah's Messenger -- then flatten the earth over me, and read at the head of my grave the beginning of Surat al-Baqara and its end, for I have seen that Ibn `Umar liked it."

References

►Narrated by Bayhaqi in al-Sunan al-Kubra (4:56),

►Ibn Qudama in al-Mughni (2:474, 2:567, 1994 ed. 2:355)

►al-Tabarani in al-Kabir, and Haythami said in Majma` al-zawa'id (3:44) that the latter's narrators were all declared trustworthy.



Proof No 8

Ibn Taymiyya writes:

"From the authentic ahadith there is evidence pointing out that the deceased person will gain rewards from all the good deeds carried out on his/her behalf by others. Some people raise the objection that a person can only gain reward from their own actions, and refer to the Qur'an [for evidence]. This is not correct. Firstly, because a Muslim recieves the reward of those deeds that he /she has never done themselves [for example]: like Allah says in the Qur'an that the angels of the Throne of Allah, glorify Allah and ask for forgiveness on behalf of all the Muslims.It is also evident from the Qur'an [that] Allah Most High ordered Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) to pray for his Umma, since his du'a' is the peace of mind for the Umma. In the same way, the du'a is offered in the funeral prayer, when visiting the grave and when praying for the deceased

"Secondly, we know that Allah Most High rewards us through the deeds of other people, which are carried out on our behalf. An example is where the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, 'Whenever a Muslim prays for other Muslims, Allah appoints an angel to say Amin' - i.e. the angel asks Allah for the acceptance of the prayer. Sometimes Allah blesses the participants of the funeral prayer in response to the prayer from the deceased and vice-versa"

Reference:[Ibn Taymiyya, Mujmu' al-Fatawa, Saudia Arabian edition, vol.7, page 500 & vol.24, page 367]



Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim


Proof No 9


وقد ذكر عن جماعة من السلف أنهم أوصوا أن يقرأ عند قبورهم وقت الدفن قال عبد الحق يروى أن عبد الله بن عمر أمر أن يقرأ عند قبره سورة البقرة وممن رأى ذلك المعلى بن عبد الرحمن وكان الامام أحمد ينكر ذلك أولا حيث لم يبلغه فيه أثر ثم رجع عن ذلك وقال الخلال في الجامع كتاب القراءة عند القبور اخبرنا العباس بن محمد الدورى حدثنا يحيى بن معين حدثنا مبشر الحلبى حدثني عبد الرحمن بن العلاء بن اللجلاج عن أبيه قال قال أبى إذا أنامت فضعنى في اللحد وقل بسم الله وعلى سنة رسول الله وسن على التراب سنا واقرأ عند رأسى بفاتحة البقرة فإنى سمعت عبد الله بن عمر يقول ذلك


قال عباس الدورى سألت أحمد بن حنبل قلت تحفظ في القراءة على القبر شيئا فقال لا وسألت يحيى ابن معين فحدثنى بهذا الحديث قال الخلال وأخبرني الحسن بن أحمد الوراق حدثنى على بن موسى الحداد وكان صدوقا قال كنت مع أحمد بن حنبل ومحمد بن قدامة الجوهرى في جنازة فلما دفن الميت جلس رجل ضرير يقرأ عند القبر فقال له أحمد يا هذا إن القراءة عند القبر بدعة فلما خرجنا من المقابر قال محمد بن قدامة لأحمد بن حنبل يا أبا عبد الله ما تقول في مبشر الحلبي قال ثقة قال كتبت عنه شيئا قال نعم فأخبرني مبشر عن عبد الرحمن بن العلاء اللجلاج عن أبيه أنه أوصى إذا دفن أن يقرأ عند رأسه بفاتحة البقرة وخاتمتها وقال سمعت ابن عمر يوصي بذلك فقال له أحمد فارجع وقل للرجل يقرأ

وقال الحسن بن الصباح الزعفراني سألت الشافعي عن القراءة عند القبر فقال لا بأس بها


Translation: It is narrated from a group of Islaaf that they advised to recite (Quran) on their graves at the time of burying them. Abdul Haq has narrated that "Ibn Umar (RA) ordered (others) to recite Surah Baqarah on his grave" A'la bin Abdur Rahman also holds the same opinion. Imam Ahmed (rah) did not agree to this in the beginning because proof had not reached him then, "however later he agreed" Ala’ bin Lajlaaj (Radhi Allaho anho) has narrated that his father advised that when he is to be buried you should recite بسم الله وعلى سنة رسول الله and then add dust, after this stand on the side and recite the beginning of Surah al Baqarah, because he heard Ibn Umar (RA) saying this. (Note: The Hadith is traced as Marfu i.e. from Prophet salallaho alaihi wasalam in Al-Kabir of Imam Tabrani, Imam Haythami called all its narrators to be Thiqa in Majma az Zawaid 3:44)...

Abbas Ad-Dori (rah) narrates that he asked Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal if there is any tradition about reciting (Quran) on the graves? (Imam Ahmed) said No! However when Yahya bin Moin (rah) was asked he narrated that he along with Imam Ahmed (rah) and Ibn Quduma (rah) took part in a funeral procession. After burial a blind person started to recite (Quran) on the Qabr, Imam Ahmed said: It is Bidah to recite (Quran) near the grave, however when we left the graveyard ibn Qudama (rah) asked Imam Ahmed (rah) what his stance was on Mubashar al Halbi (rah)? Imam Ahmed said that "HE IS THIQA" (Ibn Qudama) said: Have you taken his narrations? Imam Ahmed said "Yes" at this Ibn Qudama said: Mubashar narrated from Abdur Rahman bin Ala’ bin Lajlaj (RA) … (and he mentioned the same narration as mentioned above), hearing this "IMAM AHMED ASKED TO CALL THE BLIND MAN BACK FOR RECITING (ON THE GRAVE)"

References

►Ibn Qayyim in Kitab ar Ruh, Page Nos. 64-65, Published by Dar Ibn Kathir, Damascus, Syria.

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►Narrated by al-Ghazali in his Ihya, book of "The Remembrance of Death and the Afterlife," trans. T.J. Winter [`Abd al-Hakim Murad] (Cambridge: Islamic Texts Society, 1989) p. 117.

►al-Khallal narrates it in al-Amr bi al-ma`ruf (p. 122 #240-241)

►Ibn Qudama in al-Mughni (2:567, Beirut 1994 ed. 2:355) and Qal`a'ji in Fiqh Ibn `Umar (p. 618).

Ghazali prefaces the relation with the words: "There is no harm in reciting the Qur'an over graves."


بها وذكر الخلال عن الشعبي قال كانت الأنصار إذا مات لهم الميت اختلفوا إلى قبره يقرءون عنده القرآن قال وأخبرني أبو يحيى الناقد قال سمعت الحسن بن الجروى يقول مررت على قبر أخت لي فقرأت عندها تبارك لما يذكر فيها فجاءني رجل فقال إنى رأيت أختك في المنام تقول جزى الله أبا على خيرا فقد انتفعت بما قرأ أخبرني الحسن بن الهيثم قال سمعت أبا بكر بن الأطروش ابن بنت أبي نصر بن التمار يقول كان رجل يجيء إلى قبر أمه يوم الجمعة فيقرأ سورة يس فجاء في بعض أيامه فقرأ سورة يس ثم قال اللهم إن كنت قسمت لهذه السورة ثوابا فاجعله في أهل هذه المقابر فلما كان يوم الجمعة التي تليها جاءت امرأة فقالت أنت فلان ابن فلانة قال نعم قالت إن بنتا لي ماتت فرأيتها في النوم جالسة على شفير قبرها فقلت ما أجلسك ها هنا فقالت إن فلان ابن فلانة جاء إلى قبر أمه فقرأ سورة يس وجعل ثوابها لأهل المقابر فأصابنا من روح ذلك أو غفر لنا أو نحو ذلك

Translation: Hassan bin Jarvi (rah) has narrated that he recited Surah al-Mulk at the grave of his sister. A person came to him and said that he saw his sister in dream who said: May Allah give Jaza (to my brother) because his Qir’at has been of benefit to me. One person used to recite Surah Yasin at the grave of his mother every Friday.

Once he recited Surah Yasin and made a dua: O Allah If in your sight this Surah is a source of Thawaab to others then grant Thawaab to all those buried in this graveyard. Next Friday a woman came to him and asked: Are you son of so and so, at which he said Yes. She replied: One of my daughters has recently passed away, I saw her in dream that she is sitting at the corner of her grave, I asked why she was sitting there? She took your name and said that you had came to recite Surah Yasi after which you denoted Thawaab to all of those who are buried, out of this we received thawaab too.

Reference: Ibn Qayyim in Kitab ar Ruh


"If a Muslim recites Qur'an, performs Hajj, offers du'a' or gives in charity on the behalf of the deceased, then the deceased gets the benefits of it. Some innovators say that the deceased do not get any such reward, which is wrong according to the authentic ahadith. The proof is in the Qur'an that Allah Most High has praised those who ask for forgiveness for their Muslim brothers. An authentic hadith proves that Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied to a question saying that to offer alms on behalf of a deceased person earns benefit. Some individuals suspect that the earlier Muslims did not do isal ath-thawab. This is because of their own ignorance or lack of knowledge. The earlier Muslims did not do these to show off. The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) himself gave permission to offer alms, so it is right to say that isal ath-thawab is right. The aya in the Qur'an, which states that only ones own deeds are rewarded, means that if one is righteous enough to get rewarded, which means that one is righteous to receive reward, but a present from someone else is also rewarded to the deceased by Allah Most High"

[Ibn al-Qayyim, Kitab ar-Ruh, Chapter 16]


وذكر الخلال عن الشعبي قال كانت الأنصار إذا مات لهم الميت اختلفوا إلى قبره يقرءون عنده القرآن

Al Shu`bi said: "The Ansar, if someone died among them, would go to his grave and recite the Quran there.

(Kitab Al Ruh, Ibn Qayyim (Madani ed. p. 18))


وقال الحسن بن الصباح الزعفراني سألت الشافعي عن القراءة عند القبر فقال لا بأس بها

Za`farani said: "I asked Shafii about reciting Qur'an at the graveside and he said: la ba'sa bihi -- There is no harm in it.

(Kitab Al Ruh, Ibn Qayyim)



Qadi Shawkani


Proof No 10


"According to the Sunni creed, a deceased receives reward from others praying, performing Hajj, offering alms, but the Mu'tazilites [a deviant sect]refuse to accept this. If it is wrong to offer these to the deceased, then Islam would not have allowed us to say Salam [greeting of peace] to the deceased when visiting or entering the graveyards"

[Qadi Shawkani, Nayl al-Awtar, chapter on 'Janaiz']


"Let one recite over the grave, after burial, the beginning of Surat al-Baqara and its end." This is based on Ibn `Umar's words narrated by Bayhaqi in his Sunan (4:56): "I like that it be read over the grave the beginning of Surat al-Baqara and its end." Shawkani comments: "Nawawi declared its chain fair (hassana isnadahu), and even if it is only Ibn `Umar's saying, such as this is not uttered on the basis of mere opinion. It is possible that because of what he learned of the benefit of such recitation generally speaking, he then deemed it desirable that it be read over the grave due to its merit, in the hope that the deceased benefit from its recitation."

Shawkani in Tuhfat al-dhakirin (p. 229) cited al-Jazari's instruction in al-Hisn al-hasin