The legislated Sunnah of supplicating for the Deceased

Question :

What is the ruling of specifying certain days for supplicating for the deceased, like the first day (after his death), the seventh day and the fortieth day? What are the legislated Sunnahs of supplicating for the deceased? What is the ruling of sending blessings upon the Prophet when placing the deceased in the grave?

Answer:

Concerning specifying the first day, the seventh day and the fortieth day for supplicating for the deceased, we do not know of any basis for this from the Book and the Sunnah, nor from the Companions or anyone other than them of the Salaf of the Ummah. Rather, it is an innovation from the newly invented innovations. It has been confirmed from the Messen- ger of Allâh that he said:
"Whoever does a deed that is not in accordance with our matter, then it is rejected."

In another narration he said:
"Whoever introduces into this matter of ours what is not of it, then it is rejected."

Secondly: What is said when placing the person into the grave is what Ibn Umar reported from the Prophet. He said: "Whenever he (the Prophet) put a deceased person into the grave, he would say:
'With the Name of Allah and upon the religion of the Messenger of Allah."

It has also been reported with the wording:
" At-Tirmithi said: "This Hadith is Hasan Gharib."

Upon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah."

Thirdly: It is recommended that the person who is attending the funeral and burial proceedings of the deceased should stand over his grave after the burial and supplicate for forgiveness for him and steadfastness, because the Prophet ordered that.

In reference to sending blessings upon the Prophet when entering the deceased into the grave, we do not know of any basis for that.