‘Urs and Related Practices

Question

Is it correct or not to take part in the ‘urs (death anniversaries) of the elders of the faith, to cook some food there and distribute it in the way of Allah without any khurafat (superstitious practices)? And is it correct or not to convey its reward to the souls of those elders?

Answer

Going to shrines and having food cooked there, taking food there and distributing it is bid‘a (innovation in religion) and impermissible. To fix a date for isal al-thawab (conveying reward to the deceased) and give it the status of a rule of the Sacred Law is not correct; holding an ‘urs is bid‘a.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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