Visiting the Dead to Pray for Them, Seek Their Aid, and Seek Intercession Through Them
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The third question of Fatwa No. ( 3207 ):
Q3: I have found in the book [Shifa al-Saqam fi Ziyarat Khayr al-Anam] by the Shaykh Taqi al-Din al-Subki al-Shafi'i , in the chapter on tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means), seeking aid, and seeking intercession through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), on pages 160 to 178, contradictions and hadiths that call for inquiry. Please inform us, may Allah reward you, about this book, and specifically about the chapter on tawassul?
Volume 3: Visiting the graves of the deceased is a recommended practice (sunnah); this is based on the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraging it and his frequent visits to graves. This is done for admonition and lesson, to remember death, and to supplicate for the deceased Muslims for forgiveness and mercy, such as saying: "Peace be upon you, people of the abodes, from among the believers and Muslims, and we, if Allah wills, will be joining you. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you," and similar supplications established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding visiting graves. It is not for supplicating to them, seeking their help, or seeking intercession through them, for that is shirk (associating partners with Allah), and it is not permissible to travel a long distance
to visit them, nor to travel for that purpose, even if it does not involve a long journey. However, people have exaggerated in visiting graves, so they traveled to them and called upon the dead to bring benefit and remove harm, among other innovations performed at the graves. Among those who exaggerated in this was the Shaykh Taqi al-Din al-Subki al-Shafi'i in his book [Shifa al-Saqam...]. And the Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Hadi refuted him in his book [al-Sarim al-Manki fi al-Radd 'ala al-Subki]. If you wish to expand on this, read the book [al-Sarim al-Manki] and the book [al-Tawassul wa al-Wasilah] by Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on them both), for in them is strength in establishing the truth and strength in refuting falsehood, along with evidence and clarity of expression. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q3: I have found in the book [Shifa al-Saqam fi Ziyarat Khayr al-Anam] by the Shaykh Taqi al-Din al-Subki al-Shafi'i , in the chapter on tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah through a means), seeking aid, and seeking intercession through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), on pages 160 to 178, contradictions and hadiths that call for inquiry. Please inform us, may Allah reward you, about this book, and specifically about the chapter on tawassul?
Volume 3: Visiting the graves of the deceased is a recommended practice (sunnah); this is based on the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraging it and his frequent visits to graves. This is done for admonition and lesson, to remember death, and to supplicate for the deceased Muslims for forgiveness and mercy, such as saying: "Peace be upon you, people of the abodes, from among the believers and Muslims, and we, if Allah wills, will be joining you. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you," and similar supplications established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding visiting graves. It is not for supplicating to them, seeking their help, or seeking intercession through them, for that is shirk (associating partners with Allah), and it is not permissible to travel a long distance
to visit them, nor to travel for that purpose, even if it does not involve a long journey. However, people have exaggerated in visiting graves, so they traveled to them and called upon the dead to bring benefit and remove harm, among other innovations performed at the graves. Among those who exaggerated in this was the Shaykh Taqi al-Din al-Subki al-Shafi'i in his book [Shifa al-Saqam...]. And the Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Hadi refuted him in his book [al-Sarim al-Manki fi al-Radd 'ala al-Subki]. If you wish to expand on this, read the book [al-Sarim al-Manki] and the book [al-Tawassul wa al-Wasilah] by Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on them both), for in them is strength in establishing the truth and strength in refuting falsehood, along with evidence and clarity of expression. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.