I was told it is not acceptable to read Qur'an at the grave. Is this true? Also, when a son makes Du'a for his father, does the father know about it? Can the father hear the sound of his son at the grave?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Muslim scholars hold different opinions as to the matter of reciting the Quran at a grave. Some hold the opinion that it is dislikable, while others say that it is permissible at the time of burial.

Yet, the preponderant opinion, Allah Willing, is that it is not permissible at the time of burial. The Prophet used to recommend asking forgiveness for the dead, as stated in Saheeh Muslim, but not reciting the Quran at the grave.

As to whether the dead knows about someone's supplication for him, this is affirmed, Allah willing. Scholars unanimously agree that the reward of charity and supplication will reach the dead.

As for whether the dead hear whomever addresses them among the living, the most reliable opinion held by the scholars is that it is true, Allah willing. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “Generally the dead person hears the speech addressed to him, but not all the time; rather he may hear it in certain conditions and may not in others. And this kind of hearing is that of perception not response.”

Ibn al-Qayyim quoted Ibn Abdul-Barr as saying: “It was verified that the Prophet said: “Whenever a Muslim passes by the grave of someone whom he knows in life and salutes him (by saying Assalaamu ‘Alaykum), Allah will return the soul of the dead person to respond to the salutation.” [Kitaab Ar-Rooh (the book of the Soul) part 1, page: 5]

Thus, we advice our dear inquirer to frequently make supplications, give in charity, and recite the Quran for the sake of his father. And whatever good deeds you do for your father, their reward will reach him, Allah willing.

Allah knows best.