During the early
era of Islam
visiting graves
was prohibited.
The reason
behind this
prohibition was
that Shirk
originated among
the previous
nations with the
veneration of
righteous people
and their
graves.[1]
To avoid
confusion and
misguidance
visiting graves
was only made
permissible when
the Sahabah
(radhi allahu
anhu) thoroughly
understood the
Islamic concept
of Tawheed
(Allah’s
Oneness).
Allah’s
Messenger (sallallahu
alaihi wa-sallam)
said:
“I used to
forbid you from
visiting graves,
but now you
should visit
them, for surely
they are
reminders of the
next life.”[2]
–
So whoever
wishes to visit
may do so, but
don’t say
anything false.”[3]
[1]
When Umm
Habiba and
Umm Salamah
(radhi
allahu
anhuma)
mentioned a
church in
Ethiopia
that had
pictures,
Allah’s
Messenger (sallallahu
alaihi
wa-sallam)
said: “If
any
religious
man dies
among these
people they
would build
a place of
worship at
his grave
and make
these
pictures on
it. They
will be the
worst
creature
with Allah
on the Day
of
Resurrection.”
[Saheeh
al-Bukharee
(Eng.
Trans.),
vol.1,
p.251,
no.419,
Saheeh
Muslim (Eng.
Trans.).
vol.1,
p.268,
no.1076),
Sunan
an-Nasa’ee
(al-Masaajid)
vol. 1, no.
115, and
Musnad Imaam
Ahmad vol.
6, no. 51.]
[2]
Saheeh
Muslim (Eng.
Trans.)
vol.2,
p.463-464,
no.2131,
Sunan Abu
Dawood (Eng.
Trans.)
vol.2,
p.919,
no.3229,
Sunan an-Nas’ee,
Musnad Ahmad
Ibn Hambal
and al-Baihaqee.
[3]
This
addition is
found in an-Nasa’ee’s
narration.
See Saheeh
Sunan
an-Nasa’ee,
vol. 2,
p.436, no.
1922.
