Is it permissible to recite at a Muslim’s grave?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

1) It is permissible.

Hadhrat Anas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, ‘Whosoever reads Yaseen at anybody’s grave, Allah will decrease their punishment.’
(Umdatul Qaari; Ahsanul Fataawa Vol. 4 Pg. 196)

2) The grave should be wide, deep and good.

Graves are of two types:

The LAHAD: Where the ground and sides of the Qabr are firm, then a recess should be dug on the Qiblah side to allow placing the body in the recess. Unbaked bricks should preferably be used to close the recess, and made to fit neatly.

The SHIQ: where the soft nature of the ground does not allow a LAHD to be made, then a shallow trench should be dug in the centre at the bottom of the Qabr, to allow the body to be placed in this trench. Timber may he used to clever this. The use of any fabrics or blankets, etc is undesirable and wasteful. The bamboo or planks must be cut to size and set to fit properly in the grave before burial, to avoid last minute inconvenience.

http://www.inter-islam.org/Actions/Part10.html#Requirements%20for%20Qabr%20(grave)

The shape of the Qabr when filled should be like the hump of a camel. The height should be approximately 25 to 30 cms.

Jabir ibn Abdullah (Radhiallahu Ta’ala Anhu) reported:

“A Lahd was made for Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in his grave, bricks were erected behind him, and his grave was raised about a hand-span above ground level.” (Ibn Hibban, Bayhaqy)

It is Makruh to add more soil to the Qabr than that which was dug out from it.

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK