V2:88- Ruling on visiting shrines
- 4 years ago
88- Ruling on visiting shrines
Q: A questioner from Morocco asks: What is the ruling on shrines? Do Muslims have to visit them as the case with sacred places?
A: This needs a detailed answer. According to the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), shrines are graves that shall be elevated by one hand span higher than the ground. In this way, it will be known that they are graves and will not be misused. Proof of this is the Hadith of Sa`d ibn Abu Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he saw the grave of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) uplifted from the ground by a hand span and ordered that his own grave be upraised in the same manner as narrated by `Uthman ibn Abu Salim. On the other hand, constructing domes or Masjids (mosques) over the graves is not permissible. It is considered Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). Bid`ah (innovation in religion), and a means leading to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). The Prophet (ﷺ) said in a Sahih (authentic) Hadith: May Allah curse the Jews and Christians for they made the graves of their prophets as places of worship.) Moreover, it was related by Muslim in his Sahih (Authentic Hadith Book) on the authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ): Forbade (Muslims) to plaster the graves or tot or build on them. Accordingly, it is not permissible to construct anything on the graves, whether it a Masjid or a dome, for doing so is a means to Shirk. To give more clarification, building Masjids or domes over the graves leads people to revere such graves, invoke their dwellers, and seek their help other than Allah, which are means to Shirk. Hence, the Prophet (ﷺ) forbade such means, warned people against them, and cursed those who indulge in them. Every Muslim has to beware of such prohibited actions. They also must not screen the graves, use curtains to hang on their sides, or light them up because all these are ways of excessive extolment and Shirk. Besides, invoking the deceased by saying: "O so-and-so rescue me!", "Grant me victory!", "Cure my disease!", "I am under your guard and protection" and so on, is a form of major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam). Again, Muslims have to beware of all means to Shirk. They also have to avoid making Tawaf (circumambulation) around the graves or asking their blessing, benefit, or favor, for indulging in any of the foregoing practices is major Shirk. However, merely thinking that such Tawaf is a Sunnah (a commendable act) that draws people close to Allah - without practicing it - is a Bid`ah, Munkar, and a way to Shirk. Invoking the deceased, seeking their help, making vows to them, offering sacrifices for them, or circumambulating around their graves is major Shirk that every believing man and woman has to beware of. Nevertheless, Muslims are allowed to visit the graves to greet their dwellers and make Dua`a' (supplication) for them for the Prophet (ﷺ) said: Visit the graves for they remind you of the Hereafter. Muslims are allowed to visit the graves and say: Peace be upon you O inhabitants of this city (i.e. graveyard) from among the believers. We shall; Insha` Allah (if Allah wills), soon join you. We ask Allah to grant both us and you safety. May Allah be merciful with those who have preceded us and those who are to follow them. This was what the Prophet (ﷺ) taught the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) to say whenever they visited the graves: Peace be upon you O dwellers of this city from among the believers and Muslims. We shall, Insha` Allah (if Allah wills), soon join you. We ask Allah to grant both us and you safety. May Allah be merciful with those who have preceded us and those who are to follow them. This is the Shariah (Islamically lawful) Dua`a' to be said upon visiting the graves. Then the person is to leave the graves without offering any Salah (Prayer) or making any recitation or Tawaf there. It is also not permissible, as mentioned above, to ask the deceased to provide them with any help.
[Vol. 2, Page No. 304-306]
Q: A questioner from Morocco asks: What is the ruling on shrines? Do Muslims have to visit them as the case with sacred places?
A: This needs a detailed answer. According to the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), shrines are graves that shall be elevated by one hand span higher than the ground. In this way, it will be known that they are graves and will not be misused. Proof of this is the Hadith of Sa`d ibn Abu Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he saw the grave of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) uplifted from the ground by a hand span and ordered that his own grave be upraised in the same manner as narrated by `Uthman ibn Abu Salim. On the other hand, constructing domes or Masjids (mosques) over the graves is not permissible. It is considered Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect). Bid`ah (innovation in religion), and a means leading to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). The Prophet (ﷺ) said in a Sahih (authentic) Hadith: May Allah curse the Jews and Christians for they made the graves of their prophets as places of worship.) Moreover, it was related by Muslim in his Sahih (Authentic Hadith Book) on the authority of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ): Forbade (Muslims) to plaster the graves or tot or build on them. Accordingly, it is not permissible to construct anything on the graves, whether it a Masjid or a dome, for doing so is a means to Shirk. To give more clarification, building Masjids or domes over the graves leads people to revere such graves, invoke their dwellers, and seek their help other than Allah, which are means to Shirk. Hence, the Prophet (ﷺ) forbade such means, warned people against them, and cursed those who indulge in them. Every Muslim has to beware of such prohibited actions. They also must not screen the graves, use curtains to hang on their sides, or light them up because all these are ways of excessive extolment and Shirk. Besides, invoking the deceased by saying: "O so-and-so rescue me!", "Grant me victory!", "Cure my disease!", "I am under your guard and protection" and so on, is a form of major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam). Again, Muslims have to beware of all means to Shirk. They also have to avoid making Tawaf (circumambulation) around the graves or asking their blessing, benefit, or favor, for indulging in any of the foregoing practices is major Shirk. However, merely thinking that such Tawaf is a Sunnah (a commendable act) that draws people close to Allah - without practicing it - is a Bid`ah, Munkar, and a way to Shirk. Invoking the deceased, seeking their help, making vows to them, offering sacrifices for them, or circumambulating around their graves is major Shirk that every believing man and woman has to beware of. Nevertheless, Muslims are allowed to visit the graves to greet their dwellers and make Dua`a' (supplication) for them for the Prophet (ﷺ) said: Visit the graves for they remind you of the Hereafter. Muslims are allowed to visit the graves and say: Peace be upon you O inhabitants of this city (i.e. graveyard) from among the believers. We shall; Insha` Allah (if Allah wills), soon join you. We ask Allah to grant both us and you safety. May Allah be merciful with those who have preceded us and those who are to follow them. This was what the Prophet (ﷺ) taught the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) to say whenever they visited the graves: Peace be upon you O dwellers of this city from among the believers and Muslims. We shall, Insha` Allah (if Allah wills), soon join you. We ask Allah to grant both us and you safety. May Allah be merciful with those who have preceded us and those who are to follow them. This is the Shariah (Islamically lawful) Dua`a' to be said upon visiting the graves. Then the person is to leave the graves without offering any Salah (Prayer) or making any recitation or Tawaf there. It is also not permissible, as mentioned above, to ask the deceased to provide them with any help.
[Vol. 2, Page No. 304-306]