A graveyard is a place where we remember the deceased and pray for them. The act of visiting a grave is part of the Sunnah.
This sunnah contains many benefits, including the opportunity to reflect on our own lives and remember those who have passed.
While some people are uncomfortable with wudu, a graveyard visit can help us feel closer to our deceased loved ones.
Visiting Graves
Visiting graveyards is a part of the Muslim faith. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught that visiting graveyards softens the heart, reminds us of our mortality, and helps us remember the Hereafter.
He also gave advice for men and women to remember their dead and reflect on their lives.
In addition to the Sunnah of visiting graveyards, Muslims also visit them to reflect on their lives and contemplate life after death.
It is natural to experience grief for the dead, but our expressions of sadness should be balanced with a sense of God’s mercy. It is also important to remember the good aspects of a deceased person’s life and consider how brief life is on earth.
Remembrance of Allah in Wudu
The Muslims have a unique relationship with the graveyard. Visiting a graveyard is a privilege and an act of worship.
It’s a way to learn lessons from the deceased and remember the Hereafter. However, visiting a graveyard requires some special considerations.
● First, remember not to anger Allah.
● Second, do not call the dead by name or praise them in any way.
● Third, avoid smoking inside a cemetery.
The ziyarat from the graveyard is particularly powerful. It can soften the adamant heart and brighten the gloomiest eye.
It can also help control our desires. Although this sounds strange to us, it is a known fact, and there are many proofs of its authenticity.
Do You Need Wudu to Go Graveyard?
“In the given lines four fatwas related to graveyard etiquettes are mentioned. The question is: Do you need wudu to visit the graveyard?
Fatwa #01
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Yes. It is possible to bestow Sawab to the dead even without Wudhu by reciting whatever is in memory from the Qur’an. The ideal way of doing this is to recite Sura e Ikhlas, Sura e Al Haqumu Ththkaasur, and Sura e Fatiha 3,3 times and bestow the Sawab to the dead. And the preferable way of doing it is to first bestow the Sawab to the sacred soul of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam and then to the souls of all Mumin males and females and after that to the soul of whom is intended through the mediation of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam.
Allah knows best.
Allah Knows Better
شہزاد معین الدین
Allah Forgive him
Darulifta Jamia Binoria Aalamia”
Fatwa #02
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
One may visit the graveyard anytime. However, it is preferable for one to visit the graveyard on a Friday and in a state of purity. If one is in the state of janabah (major impurity) when visiting the graveyard, it will not be permissible to recite Quran in that state, even if one is not touching the Quran. However, it will still be permissible to visit the graveyard and make dua, etc.
والأفضل أن يكون يوم الخميس متطهرا
(Raddul Muhtar, Vol. 2, P. 242, HM Saeed)
(Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Vol. 9, P. 191, Faruqiyya)”
Fatwa #03
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
When one enters the graveyard he should first send peace and salutations to the dwellers of the graves by saying:
السلام عليكم دار قوم مؤمنين ، وإنا إن شاء الله بكم لاحقون
(Darrul Mukhtar, Vol. 2, P. 242, HM Saeed)
Then one should recite from the Holy Quran, preferably Sura Yasin. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) has said in a hadith:
من دخل المقابر فقرأ سورة يس خفف الله عنهم يومئذ ، وكان له بعدد من فيها حسنات
“Whoever enters the graveyard and reads Sura Yasin, Allah will lighten the punishment at that time, and the recital is rewarded according to the amount of people there.”
(Sharh As-Sudur Fi Ahwal al-Mawta Wal Qubur Li Suyuti, P. 304, Dar Al-Ma’rifah)
However, if this is difficult then one may read another portion that is easier for him, preferably the following:
a) Surah Al-Fatihah and the beginning part of Surah Al-Baqarah up to the end of the fifth ayah.
b) Ayat-ul-Kursi
c) Last ruku’ of Surah Al-Baqarah.
d) Surah Al-Mulk
e) Surah Al-Takathur
f) Surah Al-Ikhlas three, seven, eleven, or twelve times
After recitation of the Holy Quran is complete, one should then ask Allah Ta’ala to send the reward of the recitation upon the people of the graves. One may also make dua to Allah Ta’ala for the deceased while visiting the graveyard.
وفي شرح اللباب ويقرأ من القرآن ما تيسر له من الفاتحة وأول البقرة إلى المفلحون وآية الكرسي – وآمن الرسول – وسورة يس وتبارك الملك وسورة التكاثر والإخلاص اثني عشر مرة أو إحدى عشر أو سبعا أو ثلاثا ، ثم يقول : اللهم أوصل ثواب ما قرأناه إلى فلان أو إليهم .
(Raddul Muhtar, Vol. 2, P. 242, HM Saeed)
(Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Vol. 9, P. 186, 260, Faruqiyya)”
Fatwa #04
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Placing flowers on graves has no basis in Shari’ah. This is the practice of non-believers to express their gratitude to their deceased. One should do Ibadah on behalf of the deceased and ask Allah Ta’ala to send the reward to them. One may also spend money in charity on behalf of the deceased. These acts will be rewarding and beneficial to the people of the grave.
(Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Vol. 9, P. 173, Faruqiyya)”
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Ml. Asif Umar,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah”
Visiting Graves to Remember the Hereafter
Visiting graves can be a powerful means to remember the Hereafter and death. It reminds us of the reality of death, and it helps us gain lessons from it.
Visiting a grave, whether it is for a loved one or to perform Janazah, can soften the heart and bring tears to the eyes.
Visiting graves can also be an opportunity to review our lives and our relationship with God.
Visiting graves is not prohibited in Islam, but it should be done in a respectful and sincere manner.
Invoking Allah through a grave visit is permissible. However, the visitor should avoid using the grave to solicit a reward.
This is a form of fitnah since the visitor might believe that the answer he or she seeks is due to the grave’s occupant.
This practice involves putting the grave’s occupant in the role of an intermediary, which is a major shirk.
Conclusion
Visiting graveyards without wudu is not prohibited for Muslims, even visiting the graves of others is permissible.
However, women should dress modestly and not wear adornments to avoid causing offense. They should also not cry or act hysterically, which Islamic law prohibits. In addition, they should not pray to the dead or call upon them in any way.
The benefits of visiting graves go beyond the visit itself. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that when you visit a grave, you are sending greetings to your fellow Muslims.
There is no specific time when it is permissible to visit a graveyard. However, some scholars believe certain days are more suitable for visiting graves.
Fridays and Thursdays are considered to be connected more closely with the dead, but there is no solid evidence to support this belief.
