Duas for visiting graveyard and saying salaam to person in grave?

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

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has mentioned, “Visit the graves, for surely visiting the graves lessens worldly love and reminds you of the hereafter.”

The Qabrastaan (graveyard) could be visited on any day. Friday is preferred for this visit and if possible it should be a weekly visit. It has been related in a Hadith that, “Whoever will visit his parents grave every Friday will be granted Maghfirat (forgiveness) and he will be recorded as an obedient son of his parents.”

What to read when entering the Qabrastaan:

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has taught the Sahabah these words as salutation to the people of the graves and pray for their forgiveness:

Transliteration: ‘Assalamu Alaikum Ya Ahlad Diyar Minal Mu’mineena Wal Muslimeen Wa Inna Insha allahu Bikum Laahiqun, Nas’alullaha Lana Wa Lakumul ‘Afiyah’

Also, you can give Salam to those in the grave site.

Dua’s that can be read. Below is an extract from Talimul Haq:

There are many supplications that may be read at the grave side, the best being the recital of the Holy Quraan. Stand facing the grave (back towards the Qiblah) and recite as much of the Quraan as possible and make Dua for the Maghfirat (forgiveness) of the departed. A few ways of praying for the dead, as related in the Ahadeeth, are given hereafter;

Recite Sura Ikhlaas 11 times.

It is related in a Hadith that whoever visits the Qabrastaan and recites Surah Ikhlaas 11 times and then prayed for the dead, will be rewarded as many fold as the number of dead in the Qabrastaan.

It has been reported in a Hadith that whoever visits the Qabrastaan and recites Surahs:

Surah Fatihah, Surah Ikhlaas and Surah Takathur.

and then prays for the dead, the people of the grave will also ask Allah for such a person’s forgiveness.

Recite Surah Yaseen. In a Hadith it is reported that if a person recites Surah Yaseen in the Qabrastaan, the punishment of the dead will be eased and the reciter will be rewarded just as much as the dead.

In this manner the Sahaabah of Rasulullah visited the Qabrastaan. The words in the Hadith indicate only salutations and Duas for the dead and remembering death. All other ways such as placing wreaths, flowers, paying homage etc. are INCORRECT according to the Shariah. One should thus, abstain from acting wrongly.

And Allah Taa`la Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK