travel for the sake of visiting graves. If we can travel to the hospital and to see doctors, then we can also go to the shrines of the Awliya, for their graves are like spiritual hospitals. Also, if people commit impermissible actions at a grave, then do not stop visiting graves for that reason; if possible, put an end to their actions.

Before his blessed migration, observe how the beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم never stopped visiting the Ka’ba, even when the disbelievers kept their idols there. He did not abandon the Ka’ba, but instead removed the idols from it once and for all. People also carry out impermissible things during weddings, and neither are weddings stopped due to this, nor do people stop attending them. Marriage is an established Sunnah, and in the same way, visiting graves is also an established Sunnah, and it is permissible to travel for the purpose of marriage and to visit graves. Additionally, if something impermissible takes place at a marriage or graveyard, it does not mean marriage or visiting graveyards is wrong or impermissible.^[1]

Madani pearls of visiting graveyards

1.   If you wish to visit the grave of any Muslim (or the shrine of a Wali), it is Mustahab to first pray two units of Salah at home, and in every unit, after Surah al-Fatihah, recite Ayat-ul-Kursi once and Surah Ikhlaas three times. Send the reward of this Salah to the person in the grave. Allah Almighty will create a light in the grave of that deceased individual and grant a very large reward to the other (i.e. the one sending the reward).^[2]

2.   When going to visit a shrine or grave, do not engage in useless conversation on the way.

3.   When in a graveyard, walk on the common path where there have never been any graves of a Muslim; do not walk on newly-formed paths. It is mentioned in Radd-ul-Muhtar: “It is Haram to walk on a newly-formed path (which has been made in a graveyard after destroying graves).”^[3]In