The Ruling on Visiting Graves, Slaughtering for Them, and Eating Their Sacrifice

Question:
We will leave this topic, despite its breadth and its need for research and digression, to make room for the messages from our male and female listeners. This listener, 'Adh al-Mubarak 'Ali al-Sha'iri, sent a message including his thanks and appreciation to the honorable scholars who contribute to answering people's questions through this program. Then he asks two questions. In his first question, he says: What is the ruling in Islam regarding visiting graves and slaughtering for them? And is their sacrifice eaten? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Visiting graves is divided into two categories: a prescribed visit that is recommended, and a purely innovative visit. The recommended, sunnah visit is to visit graves with the intention of taking a lesson, drawing a warning, and greeting the deceased if they are Muslims, and supplicating for them with mercy and forgiveness. In this, there is benefit for the deceased through the supplication and greeting, and benefit for the living through taking a lesson, drawing a warning, and obtaining reward and recompense for it. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said