What is the ruling on reciting Al-Fatiha or the Qur’an when passing by or entering cemeteries, and is that from the Sunnah?
The aforementioned act was not performed by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, nor by any of his Rightly Guided Caliphs, and all good lies in following them. This is indicated by his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "Do not make your houses graves, for indeed Satan flees from the house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited." Imam Ahmad, when asked about recitation at the grave, said: "No." Sheikh Ibn Baz said: "There is no sound basis for reciting the Qur'an for the deceased or at the grave; rather, it is not legislated, but is an innovation." Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen said: "Reciting the Holy Qur'an at graves is an innovation, and it was not narrated from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, nor from his companions." Sheikh Al-Albani said: "Reciting the Qur'an when visiting graves has no basis in the Sunnah."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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