THE PERMISSIBILITY OF RECITING AZAAN AT THE GRAVESIDE – “Izaanul Khabar fi Izaanul Qabar” by A’la Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Bareilwi

QUESTION:

What do the learned Scholars of Islam say about the following question: Is it permissible to recite the Azaan at the graveside of any individual? If it is, please supply ample proof from authentic sources so that the doubt the Muslims face at this moment could be eradicated. May Allah reward you for your effort. Aameen.

THE LEGAL OPINION:

All Praise is due to Allah, Peace and Salutations upon His beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), upon his blessed family and beloved Companions, upon the great Scholars and Saints, till the Day of Judgement. Aameen.

Some Scholars have stated that the recitation of the Azaan at the graveside is an act of Sunnat. Scholars who have done so include ibn Hajar Makki, the teacher of the author of “Durre Muhtaar”, etc. We should clearly bear in mind that in the great volumes of Islamic Jurisprudence, the prohibition of this action is definitely not stated, which in itself is a clear indication of it’s permissibility. However, this servant of Islam (Imam Ahmed Raza), has been called upon to state proofs certifying its permission, and through the Grace of the Great Creator, I will proceed to do so. There in fact numerous authentic material that can be put forward by this servant of Islam proving the benefits and advantages of this blessed act. Let us, therefore, proceed by the Grace of Almighty Allah.

PROOF NO. 1

It is reported that when a person is placed in the grave and about to face the two Angels, Munkar and Nakeer, at that crucial moment Shaitaan also appears with the intention of misleading and robbing that person of great spiritual bliss. The great Scholar, Imam Tirmidhi (rahmatullahi alaih), in his famous book, “Nawaa dirul Usool”, reports the words of Hadrat Sufyaan Sourie (rahmatullahi alaih), who states: “When the person is being questioned, the first question being, ‘Who is your Lord?’ At this specific moment, the Shaitaan appears and indicating to himself, he says to the person, ‘I am your Lord!'”

It is due solely to this state of affairs that it has been recommended that one should make Du’a for the deceased so that he may, through the Grace of Allah, remain steadfast when answering these crucial questions.