Rasulullah (peace be upon him) said ‘Visit the graves, for surely visiting the graves lessens worldly love, and reminds you of the hereafter.’
The graveyard can be visited on any day. Friday is preferred for this visit, and if possible it should be done weekly. It is related in the Hadith that “Whoever will visit his parent’s grave every Friday will be granted Maghfirat (forgiveness of sins), and he will be recorded as an obedient son of his parents.”
WHAT TO READ WHEN ENTERING THE GRAVEYARD
Rasulullah (peace be upon him) has taught his Companions these words to send salutations to the people of the graves and pray for their forgiveness:-
‘AS-SALAAM ALAYKUM AHLA D-DIYAARI MINA LIMU-UMININA WALIMU-SILIMINA WAINNA INSHA-ALLAHU BIKUM LALAHIQUUNA. NAS-ALU LLAHU LANA WALAKUM LIA-FIYATA.’ (Translation: Peace be upon you, O you the believers and Muslims dwelling in these abodes. Behold, if Allah will, we shall meet you. We bessech of Allah safety for us and for you).
WHAT TO RECITE WHEN IN THE GRAVEYARD
There are many Duaas (supplications) that may be read at the graveside, the best being the recital f the Quran. Stand facing the grave (back to Qiblah) and recite as much of the Quran as possible, and make Duaa for the forgiveness for the departed. A few ways of praying for the dead, as related in the Hadith, as follows: –
1. Recite Surah Ikhlaas (Qulhuwallah….) 11 times. It is related in the Hadith that whoever visits the graveyard and recite Surah Ikhlaas 11 times, and prays for the dead, will be rewarded as many fold as the number of the dead in the graveyard.
2. Recite Surah Faatiha, Surah Ikhlaas and Surah Takaathur. In the Hadith it is reported that whoever visits the graveyard and reads Alhamdulillah….., Qulhuwallah…., ans Alhaakumttakathur…., and then prays for the dead, the people of the graves will also ask Allah for such a person’s forgiveness.
3. Recite Surah Yassen. In the Hadith it is reported that if a person reads Surah Yaaseen in the graveyards, the punishment of the dead will be eased, and the reader will be rewarded just as much as the dead. In this manner, the Companions of Rasulullah (peace be upon him) visited the graveyard.
The words in the Hadith indicate only salutations and Duaas for the dead and remembering Allah. All other ways such as placing wreaths, flowers, paying homage etc., are incorrect according to Sharia, and one should abstain from acting wrongly. And Allah knows best.
Source: Death and Burial of a Muslim by Waterval Islamic Institure, RSA.
