[Q 579] What To Recite At Burial

QUESTION:

Somebody mentioned this is a sunnah to recite at the time of burial for the deceased can you please clarify and also what is permissible to recite and most importantly what is sunnah to recite

ANSWER:

Before burying the deceased, reciting Surah Yaseen and Surah Al-Mulk and blowing (dum karna – blowing after recitation) upon the inner walls and the wooden planks of the grave is a deed that brings barakah (blessing) and sawab (reward).

When the deceased is placed into the grave, the following words should be recited:
بسم الله وبالله وعلى ملة رسول الله
After placing the planks, soil should be placed over the grave. It is Mustahab (recommended) that soil be thrown three times with both hands towards the side of the head.

The first time say:
مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ
The second time say:
وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ
The third time say:
وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَىٰ

After the soil has been placed, Surah Al-Baqarah should be recited:

At the head side, the first Rukuʿ (section) of Surah Al-Baqarah from الٓمّٓ until مُفْلِحُونَ.

At the feet side, recite from اٰمَنَ الرَّسُوْلُ until the end of the Surah.

After this, Talqeen (talqeen – reminding the deceased of the articles of faith) should be given to the deceased. Then Adhan (adhan – the call to prayer) should be recited, because through the sound of the Adhan, Shaytan (shaytan – Satan) flees, and it also brings ease regarding the answers to the questions of Nakirayn (nakirayn – the two angels of the grave). After that, duʿa (supplication) and istighfar (seeking forgiveness) should be made.

It is mentioned in Sunan al-Tirmidhi:

عن ابن عمر، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا أدخل الميت القبر، وقال أبو خالد مرة: إذا وضع الميت في لحده، قال مرة: «بسم الله وبالله، وعلى ملة رسول الله»، وقال مرة: «بسم الله وبالله وعلى سنة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم»: «هذا حديث حسن غريب من هذا الوجه»
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 1046)

In Al-Muʿjam al-Kabir it is reported:

قال عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله تعالى عنهما:
اذا دفنتم موتاكم فاقرؤوا عند رأسه بفاتحة البقرة وعند رجليه بخاتمة البقرة
(Al-Muʿjam al-Kabir li-al-Tabarani, Hadith: 13613)

In Sahih al-Bukhari it is mentioned:

عن أبي هريرة: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ” إذا نودي للصلاة أدبر الشيطان، وله ضراط، حتى لا يسمع التأذين، فإذا قضى النداء أقبل، حتى إذا ثوب بالصلاة أدبر، حتى إذا قضى التثويب أقبل، حتى يخطر بين المرء ونفسه، يقول: اذكر كذا، اذكر كذا، لما لم يكن يذكر حتى يظل الرجل لا يدري كم صلى ”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 608)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 11th March 2026.