The Ruling on Giving Reminders at the Graveyard: A Bid’ah or a Sunnah

Understanding the Practice of Giving Reminders at the Graveyard in Islam

Giving Reminders at The Graveyard on a Consistent Basis 

Question: They say in the following question: It is a common practice in Somalia to give a reminder after the burial has been completed. What is the ruling on this practice, and does it reach the level of being a bid’ah?

Sheikh Yaḥyā ḥafidhahullāh:

The general principle is that whatever the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ practiced consistently, should be performed consistently, and whatever he did occasionally should be done in its appropriate context. This type of reminder was given by the Prophet ﷺ on certain occasions. 

The practice that the Prophet ﷺ adhered to consistently; also known as Sunnah Mu’akkadah (an emphasised Sunnah), [should be practiced consistently], while the practice that he did not regularly perform should only be done in its specific context. 

Thus, giving such reminders should not be done consistently; it should be done sometimes, and sometimes it should be left off. The best guidance is the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, and so doing so consistently would be contrary to the Prophet’s guidance ﷺ.