Raising the grave: The earth of the slightly raised, no more than a palms width, so as to be higher than the surrounding ground. This in order that it be easily distinguished and not be disrespected. In the time the raised portion will natural shrink as the earth settles. Marking the grave: placing a stone or something similar, without inscription to indentify the location of the grave is also from the sunnah, the marker will help people later to locate the grave in order to bury other family members in the same vicinity.
Structure over graves: The building of any kind of structures on any graves is strictly prohibited (Muslim)
Duaa: On the completion of the burial, it is recommended that those present at the grave-site should offer prayers on behalf of the deceased.(Sahih sunan Abu Dawud).
This contrary to the gathering at the house of the deceased on the same day or any day after the burial (3rd day, 7th day or 40th day). Doing this is against the practice of prophet Muhammad (Salallahu alayhi wa sallam). His practice for the muslims to offer prayers is in their individual capacity for the dead and by the permission of Allah, their prayers on behalf of the dead will benefit him. The messenger of Allah (Salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The prayer of a muslim for his muslim brother in his absence will be answered, as long as he prays for the good of his brother, there is an angel assigned near his head who says ameen, and the same be for you (Muslim)
Fasting: Fast missed by dead may be done on their behalf by their close relatives. The fast may be from Ramadan or from oath (nadhar) Aisha (RA) quoted Allah's messenger (Salallahu alayhi wa sallam) as saying:
"whoever died owing fasts, his relatives should fast on his behalf (Bukhaari)
Planting twigs on graves: It is not permissible to plant flowers or twigs on the graves, the placing of wreath and flowers is non-muslim ritual. Annual visits to the graves: Visiting graves on the anniversary of a person's death or the time of special annual festivals of the deceased is forbidden. Also, setting out on journeys to visit the graves was specifcally forbidden by prophet Muhammad (Salallahu alayhi wa sallam).
This practice forms the basis of idolatrous pilgrimages in other religions.(Bukhari) Recitation of the Qur'an: There is no basis for the recitation of the Quran in the graveyard or at the house of the deceased. Neither fatihah (the 1st chapter) or any other chapter of the Qur'an should be read near graves. By implication, the act of reciting the Quran to commemorate the anniversary of the dead is forbidden.
Visiting non-muslim graves: Although participation in the funeral rites of non-muslims is not permitted, Muslims are allowed to visit the graves of disbelievers for reflection. However, praying for those who died in a state of disbelief is totally prohibited. Allah says:
"And never [Oh Muhammad] pray [funeral prayer] for any of them hypocrites who dies, nor stand at his grave. Certainly they disbelieved in Allah and His messenger and died while they were faasiqun (rebellious and disobedient to Allah and His messenger) (Q9 [Tawbah]:84)
Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu alayhi wa sallam) was prevented by Allah from praying for his own mother at her funeral, because she and His father died as polytheists (Muslim)
The charity of children: Parents benefit from whatever righteous deeds their children do, without decreasing the reward of their children's good deeds. A righteous child is considered to be part of parent's earnings. (Muslim, Bukhari) Giving charity is on behalf of the dead permissible.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited