In the name of Allaah, Most Beneficent and Most Merciful
1) One may visit the graveyard anytime. However, it is preferable for one to visit the graveyard on a Friday and in a state of purity. If one is in the state of janabah (major impurity) when visiting the graveyard, it will not be permissible to recite Quran in that state, even if one is not touching the Quran. However, it will still be permissible to visit the graveyard and make dua, etc.
(Raddul Muhtar, Vol. 2, P. 242, HM Saeed)
(Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Vol. 9, P. 191, Faruqiyya)
2) When one enters the graveyard he should first send peace and salutations to the dwellers of the graves by saying:
(Darrul Mukhtar, Vol. 2, P. 242, HM Saeed)
Then one should recite from the Holy Quran, preferably Sura Yasin. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) has said in a hadith:
“Whoever enters the graveyard and reads Sura Yasin, Allah will lighten the punishment at that time, and the recital is rewarded according to the amount of people there.”
(Sharh As-Sudur Fi Ahwal al-Mawta Wal Qubur Li Suyuti, P. 304, Dar Al-Ma’rifah)
However, if this is difficult then one may read another portion which is easier for him, preferably the following:
a) Surah Al-Fatihah and the beginning part of Surah Al-Baqarah up to the end of the fifth ayah.
b)Ayat-ul-Kursi
c) Last ruku’ of Surah Al-Baqarah.
d) Surah Al-Mulk
e) Surah Al-Takathur
f) Sura Al-Ikhlas three, seven, eleven, or twelve times
After recitation of the Holy Quran is complete, one should then ask Allah Ta’ala to send the reward of the recitation upon the people of the graves. One may also make dua to Allah Ta’ala for the deceased while visiting the graveyard.
(Raddul Muhtar, Vol. 2, P. 242, HM Saeed)
(Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Vol. 9, P. 186, 260, Faruqiyya)
3) Placing flowers on graves has no basis in Shari’ah. This is the practice of non-believers to express their gratitude to their deceased. One should do Ibadah on behalf of the deceased and ask Allah Ta’ala to send the reward to them. One may also spend money in charity on behalf of the deceased. These acts will be rewarding and beneficial to the people of the grave.
(Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Vol. 9, P. 173, Faruqiyya)
And Allah knows best
Ml. Asif Umar,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah
Courtesy: www.askimam.org