Is setting a date to meet and read the entire Qur’aan for a deceased person and to
pray for him, and doing this every year a bid‘ah.?
Praise be to Allaah.
There is no indication in either the Qur’aan or the Sunnah that would prescribe the actions
described in the question. Based on this fact, these actions are bid‘ah (a reprehensible
innovation) which is not permitted; we should avoid it and warn others not to do it. The
Messenger of Allaah
(Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) used to say in his khutbahs (sermons): “The
truest of speech is the Book of Allaah, the best guidance is that of Muhammad and the worst of
things are those which are newly invented. Every newly-invented thing is a bid‘ah, every bid‘ah
is a going astray, and every going astray will end in the Fire of Hell.” (Reported by al-Nisaa’i, may
Allaah have mercy on him, in al-Sunan, Kitaab salaat al-‘eidayn, no. 1560).
It is permissible to pray for the deceased, without arranging a formal gathering, and without
setting a specific date for doing so. We ask Allaah to help us and you to do that which He
loves and which will please Him. Allaah knows best.
