Finishing a Quran khatem after someone has passed away

Reciting the Holy Quran is a great act of reward. It can be recited for whatever reason one desires for, e.g. such as seeking blessings etc… it could also be recited and the blessings or the reward can be conveyed to the deceased which is known as Iysal-Thawab.

Iysal Thawab (the conveying of an act of virtue to someone) is permissible regardless of whatever deed it may be, whether it is Salah, Fasting, Hajj, reciting the Quran etc…

The Ulama of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaat have said that it is best that one conveys the reward for the entire Muslim Ummah because it reaches them and the doer’s reward is not decreased at all. (Raddul-Muhtar p10 v.4)

The aforementioned view can be deduced through the following verses and hadiths;

1)      “And those who came into faith after them saying ‘Our Lord forgive us and our brothers who were before us in faith.” (Hashr v.10)

2)       “Recite surah Ya Sin over your deceased. (Sahih Muslim)

However, it should be borne in mind that when a person does Iysal Thawab for someone the obligation which was on the particular person will not be fulfilled. (Raddul-Muhtar p.10 v.4)

Regarding your question, there is nothing wrong to recite the Quran partly or completely in order to gain blessings/ reward from Allah (SWA) to convey to the deceased. It is permissible to recite the Quran collectively as long as the customs which are associated with the present day societies are omitted. For example to specify a date etc…

If  a few of the deceased’s friends and family gather without making it necessary on them to participate, then this will be permissible. (Fatwa Rahimiyah p.9 v.7)

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham