The deceased’s awareness of his visitor and how to stand at the grave
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
This is a letter received from the questioner Abdullah Ahmad, who did not provide an address. It is addressed to the Honorable Shaykh Salih al-‘Ali al-Nasir (may Allah have mercy on him) and is presented to His Eminence Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Baz. The questioner says in his letter: Does the deceased feel those who visit him in the cemetery? Is it obligatory to stand in front of the grave, or is it sufficient to simply enter the cemetery? Please inform us; may Allah reward you.
Answer:
As for the deceased feeling his visitor, Allah knows best. Some of the Salaf said so, but this is not clear evidence. However, it is a known Sunnah for us to visit the graves and greet them by saying, “Peace be upon you, abode of a people of believers, and we, if Allah wills, will follow you. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you. May Allah forgive us and you. May Allah have mercy on those of us who have gone before and those who come after.” All of this is prescribed. As for whether he feels it or not, that requires clear evidence. Allah knows best, but it does not harm us whether he feels it or not. It is incumbent upon us to follow the Sunnah. It is recommended for us to visit the graves and make du'a for them, even if they do not feel our presence, because this is a reward for us and benefits them. Our du'a for them benefits them, and our visiting benefits us because it carries reward, and because it involves the remembrance of death and the Hereafter, so we benefit from it. The deceased also benefits from our du'a for him and our seeking of forgiveness for him; the deceased benefits from that. As for standing at the grave, it is permissible in any state. If one stands at the grave, there is no harm. If one stands at the edge of the cemetery and greets, that is sufficient. If one stands at the edge of the cemetery and says, “Peace be upon you, and upon you, O people of the abode, from the believers and Muslims, and we, if Allah wills, will follow you. If Allah wills, well-being for you. May Allah have mercy on those who have gone before and those who come after,” that is sufficient. If one approaches the grave of his father or his brother and stands there, that is better and more complete. Let him approach the grave of his father, or his brother, or a relative, or a friend, and stand over it, saying, “Peace be upon you, O so-and-so, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. May Allah forgive you, and have mercy on you, and multiply your good deeds,” and the like. This is better and more complete.
The presenter:
Yes, may Allah bless you,
This is a letter received from the questioner Abdullah Ahmad, who did not provide an address. It is addressed to the Honorable Shaykh Salih al-‘Ali al-Nasir (may Allah have mercy on him) and is presented to His Eminence Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn Baz. The questioner says in his letter: Does the deceased feel those who visit him in the cemetery? Is it obligatory to stand in front of the grave, or is it sufficient to simply enter the cemetery? Please inform us; may Allah reward you.
Answer:
As for the deceased feeling his visitor, Allah knows best. Some of the Salaf said so, but this is not clear evidence. However, it is a known Sunnah for us to visit the graves and greet them by saying, “Peace be upon you, abode of a people of believers, and we, if Allah wills, will follow you. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you. May Allah forgive us and you. May Allah have mercy on those of us who have gone before and those who come after.” All of this is prescribed. As for whether he feels it or not, that requires clear evidence. Allah knows best, but it does not harm us whether he feels it or not. It is incumbent upon us to follow the Sunnah. It is recommended for us to visit the graves and make du'a for them, even if they do not feel our presence, because this is a reward for us and benefits them. Our du'a for them benefits them, and our visiting benefits us because it carries reward, and because it involves the remembrance of death and the Hereafter, so we benefit from it. The deceased also benefits from our du'a for him and our seeking of forgiveness for him; the deceased benefits from that. As for standing at the grave, it is permissible in any state. If one stands at the grave, there is no harm. If one stands at the edge of the cemetery and greets, that is sufficient. If one stands at the edge of the cemetery and says, “Peace be upon you, and upon you, O people of the abode, from the believers and Muslims, and we, if Allah wills, will follow you. If Allah wills, well-being for you. May Allah have mercy on those who have gone before and those who come after,” that is sufficient. If one approaches the grave of his father or his brother and stands there, that is better and more complete. Let him approach the grave of his father, or his brother, or a relative, or a friend, and stand over it, saying, “Peace be upon you, O so-and-so, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. May Allah forgive you, and have mercy on you, and multiply your good deeds,” and the like. This is better and more complete.
The presenter:
Yes, may Allah bless you,
Source
ندوات الجامع الكبير مع الأسئلة - ٧١ — archive.org (1:30:20)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.