Annual Quran Khawani

Question:

If a family stipulates an annual date so that they could gather and do esal-e-thawab (by making khatam of the Quran) for a deceased relative, will this be considered an innovation even though they do not believe that it is necessary to gather on that specific day, rather they specify that day for organizational purposes? Answer: ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful The above mentioned scenario will be considered a bidah (innovation) irrespective of whether they consider the action necessary or not. To specify a date for a particular act of worship (e.g. doing isale thawab) which has not been specified by the Shariah is an innovation. In addition, to adopt a specific method, which has not been established from the Quran and Sunnah, in carrying out a particular ibadat (e.g. holding a gathering of isale e thawab by means of the Quran) is an innovation. One should refrain from initiating such gatherings which have no basis in Islam (e.g. present day Fatihas and Quran Khwanis) and participating in them. With love and affection, advise your family of the benefits and rewards of following the Sunnah and the severity of innovation.

Alternatively, a permissible way of doing isale thawab is to perform it individually without inviting people, specifying a day, considering it to be binding, or holding a gathering for it. For example, if someone reaches out to their brothers and sisters on a random day and requests them to do isale thawab for their late grandmother, this would be permissible. [1] Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1] Qamoosul Fiqh: v. 2, p. 298-299 (Zamzam); Isale Thawab Key Liye Ijtimai Khatme Quran Wa Yaaseen Shareef Ki Shari Haythiat: p. 41-42 (Idaratul Quran wal Uloom Al-Islamiah); Isale e Thawab par Aik Tahqeeqi Nazar: p. 148 (Maktaba Maseehul Ummat Deoband wa Banglore)