What is the ruling on standing at the grave and making du'a for the deceased after burial, and likewise walking in sandals between the graves?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : What is the ruling on standing at the grave after the burial is completed to make du'a? What is the ruling on placing a marker on it, or writing the name to distinguish it for the purpose of visiting? And what is the ruling on walking between the graves wearing shoes?
The Shaykh : What Allah willed for you, you combined three questions in one question.
The first question: Standing at the grave after burial and making du'a for the deceased is from the Sunnah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to stand over the grave when he finished burying the deceased and say:Sunan Abi Dawud 3221Sahih (Al-Albani) So you stand at the grave and say: O Allah, forgive him, O Allah, grant him steadfastness, three times, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to make du'a three times when he made du'a. Then you turn away, and there is no need to prolong standing at the grave. And in his saying: there is evidence that a person does not make du'a for his people, meaning: he does not make du'a while they are present, as some people do in some regions, but each one of them makes du'a for himself.
As for the second question: Placing a marker on the grave or writing on it so that a person can visit it specifically, there is no harm in that if it does not involve displaying the grave or distinguishing it from others. Accordingly, the marker should not be a pillar, or a tall monument, or something similar. Rather, a modest marker should be placed that does not distinguish the grave from others, based on the saying of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) to Abu Hayyaj:.
As for the third question: Walking between the graves in sandals, there is nothing wrong with it out of necessity. And if there is no necessity, it is better for a person to walk barefoot, because this is a form of respect for the deceased, to walk among them barefoot. But if there is a necessity, such as the ground being muddy after rain, or extreme heat, or thorns, then there is nothing wrong with it.
This method is prohibited among us, meaning that a person does not combine three questions in one question.
The Shaykh : What Allah willed for you, you combined three questions in one question.
The first question: Standing at the grave after burial and making du'a for the deceased is from the Sunnah, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to stand over the grave when he finished burying the deceased and say:
Seek forgiveness for your brother, and beg steadfastness for him, for he will be questioned now.
استغفروا لأخيكم واسألوا له التثبيت فإنه الآن يسألSeek forgiveness for your brother and ask for him to be granted firmness
استغفروا لأخيكم واسألوا له التثبيتAs for the second question: Placing a marker on the grave or writing on it so that a person can visit it specifically, there is no harm in that if it does not involve displaying the grave or distinguishing it from others. Accordingly, the marker should not be a pillar, or a tall monument, or something similar. Rather, a modest marker should be placed that does not distinguish the grave from others, based on the saying of 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) to Abu Hayyaj:
Shall I not send you with what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent me with? Do not leave any image, or he said: statue, except that you erase it, and do not leave any raised grave except that you level it.
ألا أبعثك على ما بعثني عليه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، ألا تدع صورة أو قال: تمثالاً إلا طمسته، ولا قبراً مشرفاً إلا سويتهAs for the third question: Walking between the graves in sandals, there is nothing wrong with it out of necessity. And if there is no necessity, it is better for a person to walk barefoot, because this is a form of respect for the deceased, to walk among them barefoot. But if there is a necessity, such as the ground being muddy after rain, or extreme heat, or thorns, then there is nothing wrong with it.
This method is prohibited among us, meaning that a person does not combine three questions in one question.