Reciting some Surahs in graveyard

Q 4: In the graveyard, while people are burying a dead person, some Shaykhs and Imams of Masjids stand in the corner and begin reciting Surah (Qur'anic chapter) Yasin, Al-Mulk, Al-Baqarah, Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur’anic Verse of Allah’s Chair, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255), last Ayahs of Surah Al-Baqarah, Al-Mu`awwidhatayn (Surahs Al-Falaq and Al-Nas), Al-Ikhlas and Al-Fatihah. Afterwards, a person calls out so that the attendants start supplicating to Allah for the dead. What is the ruling (Part No. 2; Page No. 186) of Islam on this act? Was the Messenger (peace be upon him) reported to have done this? Did the majority of Muslims do that? Is it Bid`ah (innovation in religion)?

A: Reciting some Ayahs and Surahs upon burying the dead by the Shaykhs and Imams of Masjids is a Bid`ah that has no origin in the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). Had this been permissible, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have declared it to his Ummah. Therefore, a Muslim must avoid this act due to the great harms it entails. It also involves a way of imitating the grave worshippers who offer various acts of worship over there. However, it is permissible for Muslims to stand at the grave of the dead person after burying it, seek Allah's Forgiveness for him and ask Him to make him firm. It was narrated on the authority of `Uthman ibn `Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: Whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) finished burying the dead, he used to stay (i.e. At his grave) and say: Seek forgiveness for your brother and beg steadfastness for him, for he will be questioned now. Related by Abu Dawud. It is an act of Sunnah that Muslims stand at the grave of the dead person after burying him and ask Allah to forgive him and make him firm during the interrogation.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.