The Leglislative Position on Qur’aan Khwaanee
-Reciting the Qur’aan to Benefit the Deceased One-
Shaykh Abu Muhammad Badee’ud-Deen Shaah
ar-Raashidee as-Sindee [d. 1416H]
The Muhaddith of the Indian Sub-Continent,
Shaykh Badee’ud-Deen Shaah as-Sindee Quoted:
“And that man can have nothing but what he does [good or bad]”
“Imaam Shafi’ee and his followers have deduced from this blessed Aayah that the reward of reciting the Qur’aan cannot be gifted to the dead, as that action did not result from their work and effort. For this reason, the Messenger of Allaah 
did not allow it, nor did he urge his Companions (with this) through speech or action, nor is this action reported from any Companion. If good existed in this action, then they surely would have preceded us in it. Good deeds should be limited to only those which are legislated by the Sharee’ah. There is no room for one’s personal opinions or analogies. As for du’aa (supplication) and sadaqah (charity) reaching the deceased, then there is ijmaa’ah regarding them as there is a clear proof present from the Prophet :
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah who said, the Messenger of Allaah said, ‘If a person dies, his actions cease except for three: A righteous child who makes du’aa for him, the continual charity that remains after he has died, and beneficial knowledge [that people benefit from].’”
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No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form, or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, without prior permission from the publisher.
1st Edition: May 2011 | E-Book Edition: February 2014
ISBN: 978-1-927012-31-4
Translator’s Foreword
Biography: Shaykh Abu Muhammad Badee’ud-Deen Shah ar-Rashidee as-Sindee [d. 1416H]
Is There a Basis for Qur’aan Khwaanee in the Qur’aan and Sunnah
Did the Prophet or His Companions Conduct this Practise?
The Religion of Islaam is Complete
The Danger of Innovation in Islaam
Is Having an Intention to Worship Allaah a Sufficient Reason to Conduct Qur’aan Khwaanee?
The Statements of the Scholars of Old Concerning Qur’aan Khwaanee
Using Qiyaas (Analogical Deduction) to Justify an Act of Worship
Conclusion
All praise belongs to Allaah. We praise him, we seek His aid, and we seek His forgiveness. We believe in Him and we depend upon Him. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped other than Allaah Alone, He has no partners. And I testify that Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is His slave and His Messenger. As for what follows:
Indeed the best of speech is the book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). And all newly-invented matters are bid’ah (innovations in religion) and all innovations are misguidance and all misguidance is in the Fire. As for what follows:
As for this book, it was authored by the ‘Allaamah, Ash-Shaykh Abu Muhammad Badee’ud-Deen Shaah ar-Raashidee in 1967CE but remained unpublished for many years thereafter.
This much needed book translated into the English language addresses the prevalent and widespread bid’ah of what is known as Qur’aan Khwaanee, where a person recites the Qur’aan and offers its reward to someone who has died. This practice is sometimes done in a group, where friends and relatives gather together and recite the Qur’aan and collectively send its reward to the deceased, especially on marked occasions, such as a deceased’s death anniversary. And in many cases, hired reciters are employed to recite the Qur’aan for a fee and such gatherings are often accompanied with food and drink, and we seek refuge with Allaah.
The Shaykh refutes this with an abundance of knowledge-based proofs from the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and the statements of the Mufassireen (those who explain the Qur’aan) and Muhaadditheen (those who are experts in the science of Hadeeth) of the past. He prudently uses rational and intellectual arguments and eloquently proves the falsehood of this bid’ah.
The Shaykh then goes on to refute, in general, the innovations, opinions and Qiyaas (analogies) which do not have any legislated basis in Islaam, thus enabling the reader to fortify himself with sound principles from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah.
This book has been translated from the Urdu language. An attempt has been made to keep the translation of the meanings as close as possible to the original wording. Chapter titles have been added to facilitate better understanding of the subject.
We would like to offer our sincere thanks to all those who helped us with this project. Specifically, thanks are due to Kashiff Abu Hafsah, Ahmad Abu Sakeenah, ‘Umar Abu Zakee, Umm Zakee and ‘Abdus-Salaam Abu Faarooq. May Allaah reward them all generously and make their contribution a source of happiness for them in the Hereafter.
I ask Allaah that He adds this to the scales of good deeds of the ‘Allaamah, ash-Shaykh Badee’ud-Deen Shaah ar-Raashidee, and all those who worked to bring this book in front of you. O our Lord accept this from us, indeed You are As-Samee’ (the one who hears all), Al-‘Aleem (the one who knows all).
And peace and blessings be upon the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), his family, all his Companions and upon those who follow them upon goodness until the last day.
Muhammad Rather
1430/07/23 [2009/07/16]
He is the ‘Allaamah, the Muhaddith, the Shaykh, Abu Muhammad Badee’ud-Deen Shaah Ibnush-Shaykh Sayyid Ihsaanullaah Shaah Ibn Rashdullaah Shaah Ibn Rasheedud-Deen Ibn Muhammad Yaaseen Ibn Muhammad Shaah ar-Raashidee al-Husaynee. He was born on the 10th of July, 1925CE in the area known as the Goth of Fadlullaah Shaah that is located near the Sa’eedabaad area in the district of Hyderabad, Pakistan.