Question

What is the authenticity of the following narration?

“If a person visits the grave of his parents or one of them on Friday and recites Surah Yasin, he will be forgiven”

Answer

Imam Ibn ‘Adiy (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in Al Kamil, via a fabricator. Therefore, He as well as Hafiz Ibnul Jawzi, and Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahumullah) have declared this narration as a fabrication.

(Al-Kamil, vol. 8, pg. 12 and Talkhisu Kitabil Mawdu’at, Hadith: 940. Also see Lisanul Mizan, vol. 5, pg. 208 -5803-)

Imam Tabarani (rahimahullah) and Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) have also recorded a similar narration which is also very weak, and not suitable to quote. The words of this narration are as follows:

“Whomsoever visits the grave of his parents or one of them every Friday, will be forgiven and will be recorded as an obedient child”

(Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 6110, Shu’abul Iman -mu’dalan معضلا-, Hadith: 7522. Refer: Al La-Alil Masnu’ah, vol. 2, pg. 365/366 , Al Kamil, vol. 10, pg. 524, Al Kashif, vol. 4, pg. 494 -6224-, Al Mughni Fid Du’afa, vol. 2, pg. 525, Tahdhibut Tahdhib, vol. 11, pg. 261 and Taqribut Tahdhib, 7618. Also see Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 4431 and Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 8717 and 8718)

Note: Although this specific reward is unauthentic, visiting the graveyard as well as visiting the graves of one’s relatives is definitely an act that holds reward and great effect too.

Hafiz Ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahullah) has recorded the following Hadith of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) on the authority of Muhammad Ibn Sirin (rahimahullah) [mursalan- مرسلا] with an authentic chain:

“When a child who was disobedient makes du’a for his parents after their demise, Allah records him to be from those who are dutiful to their parents”

(Refer: Al Mughni ‘An Hamlil Asfar, Hadith: 4432 and Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 8718)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar