Reciting Surat Yasin at the Graveyard

Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen
Reference: Liqaaul-Baab-al Maftooh Volume 7 page 24
Category: Creed
Eminent Shaykh! What is the ruling concerning reciting Surah Yaasin or Surah Al Ikhlaas at the graveyard and what if somebody for example says: “You should recite Surah Ikhlaas eleven times [at the graveyard etc]?â€‌
The recitation [of the Qur’aan] at graves is from amongst the innovations of the Deen regardless whether it is Surah Yasin, Surah Al Ikhlaas or Surah Al Faatihah. Therefore it is not proper for any human being to recite [the Qur’aan] at a graveyard. Rather every human being must confine himself only to that which is [established] from the Messenger of Allaah SAllaah Allaahu â€کAlayhi wa Salam. Hence, one must say [whilst visiting the graveyard]:
“Peace be upon the inhabitants of this city (graveyard) from among the Believers and the Muslims, and may Allaah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on, and we shall, Allaah willing, join youâ€‌ [1]
After [supplicating] he must then leave and he should not add upon this [act] neither with any recitation [of the Qur’aan] or anything else.

[1] Refer to the English translation of Sahih Muslim, Kitabus-Salaah, Chapter 203: What is to be said while visiting the graveyard and the supplication to be offered for the dead lying in the graves, Hadeeth no: 2127. [TN]
The recitation [of the Qur’aan] at graves is from amongst the innovations of the Deen regardless whether it is Surah Yasin, Surah Al Ikhlaas or Surah Al Faatihah. Therefore it is not proper for any human being to recite [the Qur’aan] at a graveyard. Rather every human being must confine himself only to that which is [established] from the Messenger of Allaah SAllaah Allaahu â€کAlayhi wa Salam. Hence, one must say [whilst visiting the graveyard]:
“Peace be upon the inhabitants of this city (graveyard) from among the Believers and the Muslims, and may Allaah have mercy on those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on, and we shall, Allaah willing, join youâ€‌ [1]
After [supplicating] he must then leave and he should not add upon this [act] neither with any recitation [of the Qur’aan] or anything else.
Translator: Zulfiker Ibrahim al-Memoni al-Athari
Date Published: Thursday, 23 February 2006
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