Is reciting Surah Yaseen 40 times required for the deceased?

Walekumussalam,

In the situation described, after the death of a Muslim, it is permissible to recite the Qur’an and dedicate the reward of that recitation to the deceased, while supplicating to Allah Almighty to grant the reward of the recitation to the deceased. However, there is no prescribed number of 40 recitations of Surah Yaseen established in the Qur’an or in any authentic Hadith. Therefore, it is not correct to regard reciting it 40 times as obligatory, necessary, or a condition for conveying the reward to the deceased.

Therefore, if arrangements are made in a gathering to recite Surah Yaseen 40 times, but for some reason the number is not completed and, for example, it is recited only 30 or 35 times, it would not be correct to say that the reward of that recitation will not reach the deceased. Each person may recite whatever they are able to recite and supplicate to Allah Almighty to convey its reward to the deceased. The acceptance or conveyance of the reward is not Islamically conditional upon completing the number 40.

Likewise, each person may individually recite the Qur’an or Surah Yaseen at home or elsewhere and dedicate the reward to the deceased. It is not necessary to inform others how many times one has recited it or to keep a collective count. Rather, it is sufficient to recite sincerely and quietly and then supplicate to Allah Almighty to convey the reward to the deceased.

Similarly, if people collectively recite different Juz (Paras) of the Qur’an in a gathering and thereby complete the entire Qur’an, and then make dua for the deceased, there is scope for this as well. Likewise, choosing a particular number merely for organizational convenience is one matter; however, declaring it to be an established Sunnah, a religious requirement, or an obligatory number is not correct. In particular, regarding the recitation of Surah Yaseen 40 times, there is no authentic evidence establishing that it is necessary to recite it exactly 40 times for the deceased.

Making dua for the deceased and giving charity on their behalf are also established and meritorious acts in Islam. Allah Almighty mentions the following supplication of the believers in the Qur’an:

﴿رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ﴾

“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith.”

(Surah Al-Hashr, 59:10)

Similarly, when Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah رضي الله عنه asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about giving charity on behalf of his mother, the Prophet ﷺ permitted him to do so.

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Wasaya, Hadith: 2761; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Zakat, Hadith: 1004)

Therefore, Qur’an recitation, dua, and charity may be performed for the deceased. However, it is not correct to regard reciting Surah Yaseen 40 times as a religiously prescribed or obligatory number. Each person may recite according to their ability, whether once or more than once, and sincerely supplicate to Allah Almighty to convey the reward of the recitation to the deceased.