Reciting Quran at Graves Permissible?

Question: Is sitting near a grave and reciting the Qu’ran to the deceased is permissible?

Praise to Allah

Summary: Reciting the Quran at the graves for the dead is not prescribed because no report says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did that.

Detailed Answer:

Reading the Quran at the grave is not prescribed in Islam. There are no authentic reports that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did this. He would visit graves and recite specific du’as (supplications) for the deceased, which he taught to his companions.

However, there is no evidence that he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) recited any surahs or verses from the Quran for the dead, despite his frequent visits to graves. If this practice were prescribed, he would have done it and instructed his companions accordingly, seeking reward and mercy for his Ummah. Allah describes the Prophet in the Quran:

“Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad) from amongst yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He (Muhammad) is anxious over you; for the believers (he is) full of pity, kind, and merciful.” [At-Tawbah 9:128]

The absence of such a practice by the Prophet, despite ample opportunity, indicates that it is not prescribed. His companions (may Allah be pleased with them) followed his example, focusing on learning lessons and making du’a for the deceased when visiting graves, without reading the Quran for them. This aligns with the hadith where the Prophet said:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected.”

Sunan Ibn Majah 14

The scholars have consistently viewed reading the Quran for the dead as an innovation (Bid’ah),  unsupported by authentic teachings and practices of the Prophet and his companions. Fatawa Al-Lajnah Ad-Da’imah, 9/38

And Allah knows Best