With small variations this prayer is repeated in several ḥadīth.

A very large number of innovations have grown up about what may be done for the benefit of the dead. There is no mention of any ḥadīth of distributing charity at the grave, or having the Holy Qur’ān recited at the grave or elsewhere for the benefit of the dead. There are ḥadīth speaking of the Holy Qur’ān being read to the dying person (AD. 20:21); but there is no mention at all of its being read over the dead body or over the grave. Neither is there any mention of saying the Fātiḥah, or a prayer for the dead, when people come to console the relatives of the departed. The Holy Prophet is, however, reported as having prayed for the dead when visiting their graves, and the simple act of asking forgiveness for the deceased is not forbidden. The preparing of food on the third or tenth or fortieth day after death is also an innovation. There is no mention of it in any ḥadīth. Instead of the family of the deceased preparing food for others, it is recommended that food should be prepared and sent to the family of the deceased by others (Bu. 70:24; AD. 20:27). Alms may, however, be given on behalf of the deceased, and doing deeds of charity is the only thing allowed. It is stated in a ḥadīth that “a man came to the Holy Prophet and said that his mother had died suddenly, and he was sure that if she could speak, she would give something in charity, and enquired whether she would get any reward if he gave charity on her behalf.” The Holy Prophet is reported to have replied in the affirmative (Bu. 23:95). In another ḥadīth it is related that Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubāda asked the Holy Prophet if it would benefit his deceased mother, who had died while he was away, if he gave something in charity on her behalf, and the Holy Prophet, in this case also, replied in the affirmative (Bu. 55:15).

SEC. 10 — TAHAJJUD AND TARĀWỊH

Tahajjud prayer is voluntary

The word tahajjud is derived from hujūd which means sleep, and tahajjud literally signifies the giving up of sleep (R.). The Tahajjud prayer is so called because it is said after one has had some sleep, and sleep is then given up for the sake of prayer. It is specially mentioned, even enjoined, in the Holy Qur’ān itself in the very earliest