By Asma bint Shameem
No doubt that reading the Qur’aan is one of the most noble deeds.
The Qur’aan is Guidance and Light and a Healing.
In fact, if it wasn’t for the Qur’aan we would be lost and gone astray.
But it’s not just about *“what”* the act is.
Rather it’s *also* *“how”* and *“when”* and *“where”* it’s done.
You see, when you study Usul al-Fiqh, there are certain LEGAL MAXIMS you will learn that form the basis of our Deen.
One of those principles is that
“All acts of ibaadah are HARAAM, EXCEPT those that have PROOF from the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah.
In other words, no one can just “come up” with an act of ibaadah and claim it to be part of the Sharee’ah.
They have to bring PROOF for it.
Based on the above legal maxim, we will do only those acts of ibaadah that are PROVEN from the practice of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.
And we will do them in the MANNER that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did them,
at the TIMES that the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did them
and in the PLACES the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam did them.
The burden of proof lies on the one who claims that a certain act of ibaadah is part of the Deen.
So when we look for PROOFS from the authentic sources for reading Qur’aan for the deceased, we find NO SUCH PROOF.
NOTHING from the Qur’aan.
NOTHING from the practice of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam or his Noble Sahaabah.
There’s NO PROOF of reading the Qur’aan for the deceased.
Not al-Faatihah.
Not Yaseen.
Not ANY other Aayah or Surah.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam never read Qur’aan for his deceased loved ones. And neither did the Sahaabah.
There were many deaths in the lifetime of the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam from his loved ones.
His own sons and daughters passed away in front of him.
His beloved wife Khadijah radhi Allaahu anhaa passed away in front of him.
His beloved uncle, Hamza radhi Allaahu anhu was martyred in front of him.
But did he EVER read Qur’aan for them?
No NEVER.
If it was good, he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam would have done so and encouraged us to do it too.
But he didn’t
So we shouldn’t do it either
Rather, the Qur’aan is a Book for the “LIVING”; to read and UNDERSTAND and IMPLEMENT in their lives.
It’s for US while we’re STILL ALIVE so that we can CHANGE for the better and LIVE our lives according to the instructions of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala and the Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam.
Allaah says:
“(This is) a Book (the Qur’aan) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember” (Surah Saad 38:29)
What ‘good’ would the Qur’aan do for a person if he has passed away?
The TIME for him to ACT on it has GONE.
Shaikh Ibn Baaz said regarding reading Qur’aan for the deceased:
“There is NO REPORT in the Holy Qur’aan or in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam, or from his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) to indicate that it is prescribed to give one's reading of Qur’aan (or the reward thereof) to one's parents or to anyone else.
Rather Allaah has enjoined reading Qur’aan so that one may BENEFIT from it, LEARN from it, PONDER its meanings and ACT upon it.
Allaah says:
“Say: It is for those who believe, a guide and a healing”
[Fussilat 41:44]
And our Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“Read the Qur’aan, for it will come as an intercessor for its companions.”
And he Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“The Qur’aan will be brought on the Day of Resurrection along with its people who used to ACT upon it, preceded by Soorat al-Baqarah and Aal ‘Imraan, like two clouds or two flocks of birds, spreading their wings, pleading on behalf of their companions (i.e., those who used to read them).”
*The point is that it was revealed to be ACTED UPON and PONDERED, to be read as an ACT of WORSHIP and read a great deal, NOT to be GIVEN to the DEAD or to anyone else.*
I do not know of any reliable basis for giving it to one’s parents or anyone else.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“Whoever does any action that is not in accordance with this matter of ours will have it rejected.”
Some scholars are of the view that that is permissible, and they said: There is no reason why the reward for reading Qur’aan and other righteous actions cannot be given to others, and they liken that to the case of charity and du’aa’ for the deceased and others.
BUT the CORRECT view is the first view, because of the hadeeth quoted above, and other similar reports.
If giving the reward for reading to another was permissible or prescribed, the righteous salaf would have done it.
*It is NOT PERMISSIBLE to make ANALOGIES with regard to acts of worship, because they can ONLY be proven by a text from the Book of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala or the Sunnah of His Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam*, because of the hadeeth quoted above and other similar reports.”
(Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baaz, 8/360, 361)
Ibn Taymeeyah -Rahimahullaah- said
‘It was not from the practice of the Pious Predecessors that when they prayed optional prayers, or fasted, or performed Hajj, or recited the Qur’aan that they would gift that to their deceased Muslims.
In fact, from their practice was to make Dua as preceded, so it is not permissible for the people to deviate from the path of the Pious Predecessors which is better and more complete.’
May Allaah enable us to follow the Sunnah and live our lives according to the teachings and practice of our beloved Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam.
And Allaah knows best
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