Can you advise if readings/shukrans are permissible?
Question:
As salaamu alaykum
May this email reach you with good health and strong emaan.
Can you advise if readings/shukrans are permissible and if so please provide evidence from the sunnah of our beloved prophet (peace be upon him)
Jazak Allaah Khair
Answer:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
It is essential upon a Muslim to thank Allah continuously and to show gratitude for all His favours. Similarly, reciting Quran should be done daily in the life of a Muslim. Both of these are essential upon a believer in his everyday life. For these, there is no need to have a formal function to show that one wishes to express gratitude to Allah, nor is there any need to have a formal function or gathering to recite Quran. Hence, due to the fact that these shukrana functions and readings have become a fixed customary practice that some Muslims consider to be a part of the teachings of Islam, our scholars have considered these to be bidah (innovation). As such, these should not be done.
The Prophet (SAS) and his beloved Sahabahs did not have functions of this nature since their lives were filled with expressing gratitude to Allah.
It is seen that these functions have become so embedded in the lives of some Muslims that they consider it essential to have these. In addition, when these are done, some Muslims think that they have done their duty for the year and they carry on with the disobedience of Allah by not performing Salaah five times per day and neglect other important duties as Muslims. Muslims must therefore understand what are there duties in Islam, and refrain from those things which have been innovated.
And Allah knows best,
Mufti Waseem Khan
10/6/2012