Is visiting the cemetery permissible for women, or not?
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Question:
You are asking the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him, and saying: Is visiting the cemetery permissible for women, or not? Because I heard through this program that it is not permissible, is what I heard correct?
Answer:
Yes, it is correct. It is not permissible for women to visit graves. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the women who visit graves. Visiting graves is for men only. He said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1569Sahih (Darussalam) As for women, no; he forbade them from visiting. He said: So it is not permissible for them to visit graves. However, they may pray for the deceased with the people; there is no harm in that. The funeral prayer is prescribed for both men and women. If they attend with the people and pray for the deceased in the mosque or in the prayer area, that is required. As for going to the cemeteries and visiting graves, that is exclusively for men. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good. Do you remind the people of the wisdom in this, if you would be so kind, Shaykh Abdulaziz?
The Shaykh: The wisdom—and Allah knows best—is that they are a trial. If they become accustomed to visiting graves, a trial may occur for the male visitors due to the mixing; and because they are mostly lacking in patience when they remember their children, fathers, mothers, or brothers, they may become distressed, their patience may be short, and they may do what is not appropriate, such as wailing, tearing clothes, slapping cheeks, or exposing themselves. So it was the wisdom of Allah to prevent them from visiting, in order to block the door to trial and to guard against them doing something with bad consequences. Perhaps this is the wisdom—and Allah knows best. Yes.
The presenter: It seems that the movement of women should be minimized, Your Eminence? Do you direct the people to something of this sort?
The Shaykh: Yes, Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Ahzab: 33] It is the Sunnah for women to stay in their homes, and not to wander about or go out except out of necessity; because this is among the causes of safety, protection, and well-being. Going out to the markets and frequent visits are among the causes of trial. So the best and most beneficial thing for a woman is to stay in her home and minimize going out except out of necessity.
The Shaykh: A word to the men regarding this topic, the guardians?
The Shaykh: Likewise, we advise men to be diligent in advising women to minimize going out, and to be diligent in preventing them from going out except out of necessity and benefit. Otherwise, going out should be minimized, especially in the markets for buying and selling, for that may cause many trials. And if she does go out, let her be accompanied by a righteous woman or more, so that they can cooperate in the causes of modesty and well-being, and in staying away from the causes of trial.
The presenter: Shaykh Abdulaziz, there are some errands that a man can do for a woman while she is in her home. Why do men not do this?
The Shaykh: Likewise, if that is feasible, he should do it on her behalf and fulfill her needs so that she does not need to go out. He should not be lazy; rather, he should perform the task. And she should be content with that and accept it, so that it saves her the burden. And Allah guides everyone.
The presenter: Amen, may Allah reward you with good. In reality, this topic needs constant attention, especially since you see some people who have the signs of righteousness wandering with their women in bookstores, book exhibitions, and fabric exhibitions. The man is able to bring these things, and I do not know how they take the women with them?
The Shaykh: May Allah guide them, may Allah guide them. We ask Allah for guidance and success for us and for them.
The presenter: Amen, may Allah reward you with good. So you disapprove of this, Shaykh Abdulaziz?
The Shaykh: Yes, we call for abandoning it, and being diligent in not going out except out of necessity. A woman should not go out except out of necessity that the man cannot fulfill and do on her behalf.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He benefit us with your knowledge. The topic requires many questions, but we leave it for now, and we will return—if Allah wills—on other occasions.
You are asking the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him, and saying: Is visiting the cemetery permissible for women, or not? Because I heard through this program that it is not permissible, is what I heard correct?
Answer:
Yes, it is correct. It is not permissible for women to visit graves. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the women who visit graves. Visiting graves is for men only. He said:
Visit the graves, for they will remind you of the Hereafter.
زوروا القبور؛ فإنها تذكركم الآخرةThe Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the women who visit graves.
لعن رسول الله ﷺ زائرت القبورThe presenter: May Allah reward you with good. Do you remind the people of the wisdom in this, if you would be so kind, Shaykh Abdulaziz?
The Shaykh: The wisdom—and Allah knows best—is that they are a trial. If they become accustomed to visiting graves, a trial may occur for the male visitors due to the mixing; and because they are mostly lacking in patience when they remember their children, fathers, mothers, or brothers, they may become distressed, their patience may be short, and they may do what is not appropriate, such as wailing, tearing clothes, slapping cheeks, or exposing themselves. So it was the wisdom of Allah to prevent them from visiting, in order to block the door to trial and to guard against them doing something with bad consequences. Perhaps this is the wisdom—and Allah knows best. Yes.
The presenter: It seems that the movement of women should be minimized, Your Eminence? Do you direct the people to something of this sort?
The Shaykh: Yes, Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says:
And abide in your houses
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّThe Shaykh: A word to the men regarding this topic, the guardians?
The Shaykh: Likewise, we advise men to be diligent in advising women to minimize going out, and to be diligent in preventing them from going out except out of necessity and benefit. Otherwise, going out should be minimized, especially in the markets for buying and selling, for that may cause many trials. And if she does go out, let her be accompanied by a righteous woman or more, so that they can cooperate in the causes of modesty and well-being, and in staying away from the causes of trial.
The presenter: Shaykh Abdulaziz, there are some errands that a man can do for a woman while she is in her home. Why do men not do this?
The Shaykh: Likewise, if that is feasible, he should do it on her behalf and fulfill her needs so that she does not need to go out. He should not be lazy; rather, he should perform the task. And she should be content with that and accept it, so that it saves her the burden. And Allah guides everyone.
The presenter: Amen, may Allah reward you with good. In reality, this topic needs constant attention, especially since you see some people who have the signs of righteousness wandering with their women in bookstores, book exhibitions, and fabric exhibitions. The man is able to bring these things, and I do not know how they take the women with them?
The Shaykh: May Allah guide them, may Allah guide them. We ask Allah for guidance and success for us and for them.
The presenter: Amen, may Allah reward you with good. So you disapprove of this, Shaykh Abdulaziz?
The Shaykh: Yes, we call for abandoning it, and being diligent in not going out except out of necessity. A woman should not go out except out of necessity that the man cannot fulfill and do on her behalf.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He benefit us with your knowledge. The topic requires many questions, but we leave it for now, and we will return—if Allah wills—on other occasions.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.