Bid'ah

Aayatul Kareemah khatams

Q: What is the status of Aayatul Kareema Khatams? The Aayatul Kareema zikr is recited many thousands of times at these khatams. Sometimes a hall is hired for these khatams and invitations are sent out encouraging women to attend. I have faith in zikr, but are these khatams established from the Sunnah?

Gadats

Q: Are 'gadats' which are commonly performed in (cape town , south africa) part of our Islamic religion and is it mentioned in the Quran. Is it a good thing? A Sunnah? Will one benefit from taking part in these 'gadats'? We also refer to these 'gadats' as 'thikrs'. Is gadats and thikr the same thing? What is the difference? What about the 3,7,40,100day (gadat) ceremonies for the deceased?