Dua At The Time Of Burial

After the deceased is buried and the grave is filled with soil, one of the Ulama recites the opening and concluding verses of Surah Baqarah. Thereafter, Dua is made for the deceased, while the people remain gathered around the grave.

Recently, one of the scholars suggested that this practice should be abolished. He mentioned that although making Dua and seeking forgiveness for the deceased after burial is established from the Sunnah, Dua should preferably be made individually, facing the Qiblah. There is a concern that many people may leave after the burial without making any Dua at all.

Q1) What is the Shari’ ruling regarding the recitation of the opening and closing verses of Surah Baqarah, followed by collective Dua after burial?

A1) After the deceased has been buried, it is Mustahab for the beginning verses of Surah Baqarah to be read where the deceased’s head is resting, and the last verses of it should be read at the feet side. The attendants of the burial may supplicate collectively or individually for the deceased after the burial while raising their hands and preferably facing the Qiblah.

 وكان ابن عمر رضي الله تعالي عنه يستحب أن يقرأ على القبر بعد الدفن أول سورة البقرة وخاتمتها … فقد ثبت أنه عليه الصلوة والسلام قرأ أول سورة البقرة عند رأس الميت وآخرها عند رجليه

[Radd al-Muhtar ala ad-Durr al-Mukhtar, 2: 237, 242]

[Hāshiyat al-Tahtāwī alā Marāqī al-Falāh, p. 621]

وفي حديث ابن مسعود رضي الله تعالى عنه: رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في قبر عبد الله ذى النجادين. الحديث. وفيه: فلمّا فرغ من دفنه، استقبل القبلة رافعا يديه. أخرج أبو عوانة في صحيحه

[Fat`h al-Bari, (35: 6343) 11: 173]

[Fatawa Mahmoodiya, 9: 144/7,Fatāwā Rahīmiyyah, 6: 95-7]

Q2) Is it necessary or preferable that the Dua be made individually while facing the Qiblah, or is it permissible for one person to make Dua while the others say Aameen and raise their hands, as is the practice currently in most places in South Africa.

A2) This has been answered above.

Q3. Considering the circumstances and understanding of people today, what is the view and practice advised by contemporary Muftis and senior Ulama? Would it be better to abolish the existing practice completely, or may it continue so that people at least participate in making Dua for the deceased, provided it is not regarded as compulsory or part of the burial itself?

A3) It is permissible for one to supplicate at the graveside. It is preferable for one to face the Qiblah and make a collective or individual Dua as we have explained above. One may refer to the books which we have quoted for a detailed explanation.

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Ahmed Saeed

Date: 26 Safar 1448 / 11 August 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb