Q: What is the ruling on hiring someone to recite Qur'an for dead people, whether this is done (Part No. 9; Page No. 36) at the grave or at the deceased's house while offering condolences? Does the dead person benefit from this recitation? If this practice is batil (null and void), is there any sin on the reciter who gets paid for the recitation or the person who pays him?

A: The process of reciting Qur'an is a sheer physical act of worship. It is not permissible to receive fees for reciting Qur'an for the dead or to pay fees to the reciter. If fees are paid, no reward is credited to the dead person to whom the recitation is gifted. Both the person who receives fees and the person who pays them will be held sinful. Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah stated: "It is not permissible to hire someone to recite the Qur'an with the intention of giving its reward to a dead person as none of the renowned scholars of Islam is reported to have gifted the reward of their recitation to dead people. Moreover, scholars hold the view that a person who earns money for reciting the Qur'an shall have no reward and consequently he shall avail no reward to the dead person." The reason behind this impermissibility is that `Ibadah (worship) in Islam is based on the principle of Hazr (proscription) in the sense that no act of worship should be done unless Shari`ah-based evidence exists indicating its permissibility. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And obey Allâh and the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: Anyone who does an action which is not stated in this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. In another narration the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. Neither the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor any of his Sahabah (Companions) are reported to have practiced such a custom. The best line of conduct to follow is that of Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the worst of matters are matters newly innovated in religion. No act would be better than following the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) provided that sincere intention to solely attain Allah's pleasure while doing this act is sought. (Part No. 9; Page No. 37) Allah (Exalted be He) says: And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allâh, while he is a Muhsin (good-doer i.e. performs good deeds totally for Allâh’s sake without any show off or to gain praise or fame and does them in accordance with the Sunnah of Allâh’s Messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold [Lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh)]. Allah also says: Yes, but whoever submits his face (himself) to Allâh (i.e. follows Allâh’s Religion of Islâmic Monotheism) and he is a Muhsin then his reward is with his Lord (Allâh), on such shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [See Tafsir Ibn Kathîr ]. A person will incur great evil upon themselves if they disobey the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or seek to attain the pleasure of someone other than Allah while doing any act.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.