The ruling on visiting the places where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) descended for the sake of remembrance
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The questioner:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah inform them, what is your view regarding those who visit the historical sites that indicate the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stayed in them, or prayed in them, or where a battle took place, or where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came? And they say: We only visit these places not for worship, but for conversation and remembrance.
The Shaykh:
This is the same as worship. Remembrance is worship, so it is not permissible. It is not permissible to attach oneself to these historical sites, rely on visiting them, or call people to go to them, because this promotes this religious innovation (bid'ah) and opens the door to evil. It does not cease this harm. However, if one passes by them without intention, passing by them on his way, or if one passes by this route and wants to look at them for the sake of taking a lesson, that is different. But to intend them and travel to them, that is not permissible. Remembrance is an act of worship.
When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by their way to Tabuk, their way to Tabuk or to Saida, they passed by the dwellings of Thamud. He said: "Do not enter the dwellings of these cursed people"Sahih al-Bukhari 3380 He was struck with fear and lowered his head (peace and blessings be upon him) and passed by quickly.
It is not permissible, for example, to visit these historical sites, because attaching oneself to them, exalting them in the eyes of people, traveling to them, and making advertisements for them will turn them into idols in the future, even if this generation is on the right path. But first, are they reasonable? They may fall into associating partners with Allah (shirk). Second, a generation of ignorant people will come after them who will believe that these historical sites are not cared for except because they contain benefit and harm. They will believe in them, so do not open the door to evil. Yes.
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah inform them, what is your view regarding those who visit the historical sites that indicate the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stayed in them, or prayed in them, or where a battle took place, or where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came? And they say: We only visit these places not for worship, but for conversation and remembrance.
The Shaykh:
This is the same as worship. Remembrance is worship, so it is not permissible. It is not permissible to attach oneself to these historical sites, rely on visiting them, or call people to go to them, because this promotes this religious innovation (bid'ah) and opens the door to evil. It does not cease this harm. However, if one passes by them without intention, passing by them on his way, or if one passes by this route and wants to look at them for the sake of taking a lesson, that is different. But to intend them and travel to them, that is not permissible. Remembrance is an act of worship.
When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by their way to Tabuk, their way to Tabuk or to Saida, they passed by the dwellings of Thamud. He said: "Do not enter the dwellings of these cursed people"
unless (you enter) weeping, lest you should suffer the same
إلا أن تكونوا باكين أن يصيبكم ماIt is not permissible, for example, to visit these historical sites, because attaching oneself to them, exalting them in the eyes of people, traveling to them, and making advertisements for them will turn them into idols in the future, even if this generation is on the right path. But first, are they reasonable? They may fall into associating partners with Allah (shirk). Second, a generation of ignorant people will come after them who will believe that these historical sites are not cared for except because they contain benefit and harm. They will believe in them, so do not open the door to evil. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، 34 من 36 /شرح العقيدة الواسطية (شرح قديم)/اتباع آثار رسول الله/صالح الفوزان/العقيدة/كبار العلماء — youtube.com (1:09:30)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.