A Muslim Visiting the Grave of His Disbelieving Grandfather with His Family

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. The questioner says: I have embraced Islam, praise be to Allah. After my grandfather passed away, and he was a disbeliever, my family sometimes gathers at his grave and calls me, urging me to go with them to this grave. He asks: What should I do in this regard?

Answer:
What do they intend by going to his grave? Visiting the grave of a disbeliever for the sake of taking a lesson and being admonished is permissible. However, doing so for the purpose of making du'a' for him or seeking forgiveness for him is not permissible; it is haram. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked his Lord for permission to visit his mother's grave, and He granted it. He visited her, then asked permission to seek forgiveness for her, but He prevented him from doing so. He prevented him from that. So, visiting the grave of a disbeliever is permissible and prescribed if it is for the sake of taking a lesson and being admonished. But if it is for the sake of making du'a' and seeking forgiveness for the deceased disbeliever, then it is not permissible. So do not go with them if that is the intention. Yes.