Pilgrims Visiting Historical Sites and Graves

Question:
Muhammad Yahya from Jeddah says: Some pilgrims believe that visiting certain historical sites and graves from the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is a necessary part of Hajj and completes it.

Answer:
This invalidates his Hajj, may Allah protect us from that. If one visits historical sites and graves for the purpose of seeking nearness to Allah through them or calling upon the dead for aid, this invalidates his Hajj and his deeds. One should not visit graves except for the prescribed visit, which is greeting the dead, making supplication for them, and taking a lesson from their condition. There is reward in this prescribed visit. As for the innovated visit or the visit involving shirk (associating partners with Allah), there is sin in it. If it involves shirk and calling upon the dead for aid, it invalidates righteous deeds, such as Hajj and others. In Makkah, there is nothing to visit except the Sacred Mosque, visiting the Noble Ka'bah, performing tawaf (circumambulation) around it, and praying facing it. The sacred sites, which are Mina, 'Arafah, and Muzdalifah, are visited at their proper time, which is during the time of Hajj. As for other times, they are not visited as an act of worship or to draw near to Allah. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah bless you and reward you.