Death Anniversary

Question: Is it permissible to mourn on specific days, such as the 3rd, 10th, 40th, and the yearly death anniversary of the deceased?

Praise be to Allah

Summary:
Islam does not prescribe specific days, such as the 3rd, 10th, 40th, or yearly anniversaries, for mourning or commemorating the deceased. Mourning is allowed for a maximum of three days, except for a widow, who mourns for four months and ten days. Setting aside certain days or anniversaries for formal mourning or gatherings is not from the Sunnah and is considered an innovation (Bid’ah) in Islam.

Detailed Answer:
In Islam, mourning is a natural expression of grief, and the religion provides clear guidelines to ensure it is done in a balanced way. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) limited the period of mourning for a deceased person to three days for the family, as narrated: “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn for anyone who dies more than three days, except for her husband; she should mourn for four months and ten days.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1280; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1486).

There is no basis in Islamic teachings for gathering on specific days, such as the 3rd, 10th, or 40th days, or annually, for mourning or for holding commemorative events for the deceased. These practices often stem from cultural traditions, not from the Quran or Sunnah. Islam encourages praying for the deceased, making dua, and performing charitable acts on their behalf at any time without formalizing specific anniversaries.

Islam encourages balanced mourning within the allowed period and making dua for the deceased, but holding gatherings or commemorations on specific days after death, such as anniversaries, is considered an innovation (Bid’ah) and is not part of Islamic teachings.

And Allah Knows Best