In his first question, he states that it is customary, as I have observed in our country, for some people to vow to light the shrines with candles, such as the shrines of the graves of the prophets.
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The questioner : In his first question, he states that it is customary, as I have observed in our country, for some people to vow to light the shrines with candles, such as the shrines of the graves of the prophets, like the Prophet Salih (peace be upon him) and the Prophet Musa, and the shrines of some of the awliya (close friends of Allah) on certain occasions or when they make their vows. For example, a person might say, "If Allah grants me a son, I will, if Allah wills, light such-and-such a shrine for a week, or I will slaughter an animal for the sake of Allah at such-and-such a shrine." Are such vows permissible? Is lighting the shrine with candles or oil permissible? Usually, the days they light them are Mondays and Thursdays, and the night of Friday. Did this occur in the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), or is it a religious innovation?
The Shaykh : Lighting the shrines, meaning the shrines of the awliya (close friends of Allah) and the prophets, which the questioner means by their graves, is forbidden. It has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he cursed those who do it. Therefore, it is not permissible to light these graves, neither on Monday nights nor on any other night. The one who does so is cursed by the tongue of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
Accordingly, if a person vows to light this grave on any night or any day, his vow is forbidden. The Prophet (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 2126Sahih (Darussalam) Therefore, he is not permitted to fulfill this vow. However, is it obligatory for him to pay the expiation for an oath because he did not fulfill his vow, or is it not obligatory? There is scholarly disagreement among the scholars. The precautionary measure is to pay the expiation for an oath for not fulfilling this vow.
As for his mentioning the graves of some of the prophets, such as the grave of Salih and Musa, and the like, none of the graves of the prophets is authentic except the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The graves of the prophets are not known. The Prophet (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him) said regarding the grave of Musa: He said: And its location is not known. Similarly, the grave of Ibrahim al-Khalil (peace be upon him) is not known, and the graves of the rest of the prophets are not known, except for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), whose grave's location is known. He was buried in his house, in the chamber of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).
Accordingly, we say to the brother: It is not permissible for you to light these graves, whether by vow or otherwise. And uglier and more severe than that is slaughtering at them, for slaughtering at them is greater than lighting them, especially if the intention behind the slaughter is to draw near to the occupant of this grave. If he intends that, he becomes one who associates partners with Allah, committing major shirk that takes him out of the religion, because slaughtering is a form of worship of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and directing any type of worship to other than Allah is disbelief that takes one out of the religion.
The questioner : There are two minutes left in the session, which may be sufficient to answer his other question.
The Shaykh : Lighting the shrines, meaning the shrines of the awliya (close friends of Allah) and the prophets, which the questioner means by their graves, is forbidden. It has been reported from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he cursed those who do it. Therefore, it is not permissible to light these graves, neither on Monday nights nor on any other night. The one who does so is cursed by the tongue of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
Accordingly, if a person vows to light this grave on any night or any day, his vow is forbidden. The Prophet (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him) said:
and whoever vows to disobey Allah, let him not disobey Him.
من نذر أن يعصي الله فلا يعصهAs for his mentioning the graves of some of the prophets, such as the grave of Salih and Musa, and the like, none of the graves of the prophets is authentic except the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The graves of the prophets are not known. The Prophet (may Allah's prayers and peace be upon him) said regarding the grave of Musa:
It was at the red sand dune, near the holy lands.
إنه كان عند الكثيب الأحمر قريباً من البلاد المقدسةIf I were there, I would show it to you.
ولو كنت ثم لأريتكم إياهAccordingly, we say to the brother: It is not permissible for you to light these graves, whether by vow or otherwise. And uglier and more severe than that is slaughtering at them, for slaughtering at them is greater than lighting them, especially if the intention behind the slaughter is to draw near to the occupant of this grave. If he intends that, he becomes one who associates partners with Allah, committing major shirk that takes him out of the religion, because slaughtering is a form of worship of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and directing any type of worship to other than Allah is disbelief that takes one out of the religion.
The questioner : There are two minutes left in the session, which may be sufficient to answer his other question.