reading of the Quran is for the mother; the second for the father; the third for the grandmother; the fourth for the grandfather; the fifth for the paternal uncle; the sixth for the paternal aunt; the seventh for the maternal uncle; and the eighth for the maternal aunt. This is mistaken and is not from the guidance of the righteous predecessors.

Likewise, in Mecca they perform ʿumrah: the first for themselves, the second day for their mother, the third for their father, and the fourth for their grandfather.

Some people even issue them fatwas, saying: “There is nothing wrong with repeating the ʿumrah every day, provided it is not for yourself.”

Those who do not perform ʿumrah perform circumambulation of the Kaʿbah, frequently doing so on behalf of their deceased relatives, even though Muhammad ﷺ, the guide of mankind and the one who directs them to Allah, did not instruct the ummah to do this. For he ﷺ said: “When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who supplicates for him.” (1)

The context of the hadith concerns beneficial deeds that benefit a person. Had a righteous deed performed for a person after his death been beneficial, he would have said, “or a righteous child who performs deeds for him.” The Prophet’s ﷺ turning from deeds to supplication indicates that it is not legislated to assign deeds to the deceased. If you wish to benefit them, then supplicate to Allah for them. Likewise are the words of the believers: “Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not place in our hearts any rancour toward those who believe. Our Lord, indeed You are Most Kind, Most Merciful.” [al-Hashr: 10]

We do not deny that the deceased may benefit, but we reject such excess in the matter—where everything is assigned to the dead!