Madani pearls regarding visiting the graveyard

1     The Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘I had prohibited you from visiting the graves. But now, do visit the graves, because it causes dislike for the worldliness and reminds one of the afterlife.’

(Sunan Ibn Majah, pp. 252, vol. 2, Hadees 1571)

2      If one intends to visit a Muslim’s grave or a Mazaar (mausoleum) of some beloved of Allah, it is Mustahab for him to firstly offer two Rak’aat Nafl Salah (not in Makruh timings) at his home reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi once and Surah Al-Ikhlas thrice after Surah Al-Fatihah in each Rak’at and to donate its Sawab to the Sahib-e-Qabr (i.e. the one who is buried there); Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ will produce Noor (light) in the grave of that deceased person and will abundantly reward this person (who donated the Sawab).

(Fatawa ‘Aalamgiri, vol. 5, pp. 350)

3     Don’t engage in useless conversations when going to visit a Mazaar (mausoleum) or a grave. (Ibid)

4      Enter the graveyard from the usual pathway where there had never been graves of Muslims before. Never use the new pathways, because new path ways are usually paved on the graves. It is quoted in Rad-dul-Muhtar: Walking on new pathways (that has been built by levelling the graves) is Haraam. (Rad-dul-Muhtar, vol. 1, pp. 612) Even if one suspects that the new pathway may have been built over graves, it is not permissible and sinful to walk on that. (Durr-e-Mukhtar, vol. 3, pp. 183)

5      It has been observed at some Mazaars of the beloveds of Allah that expansion takes place by demolishing the graves of Muslims just to facilitate visitors. Walking, standing, lying down, seating arrangements for the recitation (of the Holy Quran) and invocations etc. upon such areas are Haraam. Rather, recite Fatihah from a distance.

6      In Mazaar, stand in front of the face of the beloved of Allah. Approach it from the foot side in order to remain in front of his vision; never approach from the head side as he (the buried one) would have to turn his head to look at you. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 9, pp. 532)