The Ruling on Visiting Graves and an Explanation of What Is Prescribed in It
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The Shaykh : We move on to something related to this topic, which is visiting graves. Visiting graves is undoubtedly a sunnah (recommended practice). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) even asked Allah for permission to visit his mother’s grave, and Allah granted him permission. He asked for permission to seek forgiveness for her, but Allah did not grant him permission.
Visiting graves is among the verbal and practical sunnahs (recommended practices) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan an-Nasa'i 5652Sahih (Darussalam) At first, he forbade them from visiting graves because they were recent converts from shirk (associating partners with Allah); Islam was new to them, so he forbade visiting graves to block the means to harm. When faith became strong in their hearts, he commanded them to do so, saying: Sunan Ibn Majah 1569Sahih (Darussalam).
If someone from the scholars of usul al-fiqh (the principles of jurisprudence) were to say: “His saying is a command after a prohibition, and a command after a prohibition indicates permissibility. How do you say it is a sunnah (recommended practice)?”
We say: Yes, the explanation he mentioned specifies that it is a sunnah (recommended practice), which is: There is no doubt that what reminds a person of the Hereafter is a desirable thing, so that heedlessness leaves his heart and his heart becomes soft. Therefore, when we pass by graves in the prescribed manner of visiting, and we reflect on the state of these people—that yesterday they were on the surface of the earth, eating as we eat and drinking as we drink, and enjoying the world as we enjoy it, and now they are in the belly of the earth, held accountable for their deeds—a person remembers this state and his heart becomes soft.
As for a visit that is done in the way of renewing sorrows and remembering the deceased, where a person says, “Yesterday he was with us, I wish he had not died,” and the like, this does not benefit. It does not remind one of the Hereafter; it only renews sorrows. What reminds one of the Hereafter is for a person to visualize and reflect, saying, “These people were on the surface of the earth yesterday, enjoying themselves and eating as we eat, and now they have become held accountable for their deeds.” Then he remembers. For this reason, he said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1569Sahih (Darussalam).
Then the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded his companions to say when they visit graves: Thus, the sunnah (recommended practice) came, both verbally and practically, with this supplication.
Is this a supplication for them, meaning that we call upon them, or do we call upon Allah for them? We call upon Allah for them.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : After the prayer, there are questions, and between the adhan (the call to prayer) and the iqamah (the second call, immediately before prayer), if possible, we will speak a little.
Visiting graves is among the verbal and practical sunnahs (recommended practices) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
I used to forbid you to visit graves, but (now) visit them.
كنت نهيتكم عن زيارة القبور فزوروهاVisit the graves, for they will remind you of the Hereafter.
زوروا القبور فإنها تذكر الآخرةIf someone from the scholars of usul al-fiqh (the principles of jurisprudence) were to say: “His saying
So visit them
فزوروهاWe say: Yes, the explanation he mentioned specifies that it is a sunnah (recommended practice), which is:
For it reminds one of the Hereafter
فإنها تذكر الآخرةAs for a visit that is done in the way of renewing sorrows and remembering the deceased, where a person says, “Yesterday he was with us, I wish he had not died,” and the like, this does not benefit. It does not remind one of the Hereafter; it only renews sorrows. What reminds one of the Hereafter is for a person to visualize and reflect, saying, “These people were on the surface of the earth yesterday, enjoying themselves and eating as we eat, and now they have become held accountable for their deeds.” Then he remembers. For this reason, he said:
Visit the graves, for they will remind you of the Hereafter.
زوروا القبور فإنها تذكّر الآخرةThen the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded his companions to say when they visit graves:
Peace be upon you, abode of a people of believers. And we, if Allah wills, are to follow you. May Allah have mercy on those of us who have gone before and those who come after. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you. O Allah, do not deprive us of their reward, and do not afflict us after them, and forgive us and them
السلام عليكم دار قوم مؤمنين، وإنا إن شاء الله بكم لاحقون، يرحم الله المستقدمين منا ومنكم والمستأخرين، نسأل الله لنا ولكم العافية، اللهم لا تحرمنا أجرهم ولا تفتنّا بعدهم واغفر لنا ولهمIs this a supplication for them, meaning that we call upon them, or do we call upon Allah for them? We call upon Allah for them.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : After the prayer, there are questions, and between the adhan (the call to prayer) and the iqamah (the second call, immediately before prayer), if possible, we will speak a little.