DUA FOR VISITING THE GRAVE

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Visit the graves, for they will remind you of the Hereafter.” Grade : Sahih (Darussalam) English reference : Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 1, Book 6, Hadith 1569 Arabic reference : Book 6, Hadith 1636

Asalamualikum, there are many rewards and benefits for visiting the graveyard. Inshallah by the end of this article you will know what duas to recite when visiting the grave. We will also cover other hadith about visiting cemetery so you will be knowledgeable on this subject.

Transliteration: as-salaamu ‛alaykum ahl-ad-diyaari mi-nal-mu’mineena wal-muslimeena, wa in-naa in shaa’-allaahu la-laaḥiqoona, nas’al-ullaaha lanaa wa-lakumul-‛aafiyah

Translation: “Peace be upon you all, O inhabitants of the dwellings (i.e. the graves), amongst the believers and the Muslims. Indeed we are, Allah willing, soon to follow (to die also), we ask Allah for well-being for us and for you.”

Note: * The term (Muslims) here means all Muslims whether they are righteous or evildoers, while believers or Mu’min only indicates to the righteous only among the Muslims. This must be the case in all occurrences of Muslim and Mu’min (believer) when they are mentioned together in one place. Reference : Sahih Muslim 975 In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 133

HADITH ON GRAVEYARD

In this next section we will go over many hadith on graveyards, funerals practices, and death.

On Erecting Structures (Tombstones) On Graves

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited plastering the graves, sitting upon them, and building structures over them. Source: Sahih Muslim 970, Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Muslim

An-Nawawi said, “In this tradition is the disapproval of plastering graves and building over them, and the prohibition of sitting upon them. This is the way of Ash-Shafi’ee and the majority of the scholars… Our scholars said that it is disapproved to plaster over them and forbidden to sit upon them.”

Never Wish For Death

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah said:”None of you should wish for death. Either he is a doer of good, so perhaps he may do more good, or he is an evildoer but perhaps he will give up his evil ways.” Grade : Sahih (Darussalam) Reference : Sunan an-Nasa’i 1818 In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 1

You should not wish for an early death. Every waking moment can be a chance for you to rank higher in good deeds and secure a spot in Jannah. You can ask Allah for forgiveness.

Weeping For The Deceased

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said:”When a young daughter of the Messenger of Allah was dying, the Messenger of Allah picked her up and held her to his chest, then he put his hand on her, and she died in front of the Messenger of Allah.

Umm Ayman wept and the Messenger of Allah said ‘Oh Umm Ayman, do you weep while the Messenger of Allah is with you?’ She said: ‘Why shouldn’t I weep when the Messenger of Allah is weeping.”

So the Messenger of Allah said “Verily, I am not weeping. Rather it is compassion.’ Then the Messenger of Allah said: ‘The believer is fine whatever the situation; even when his soul is being pulled from his body and he praises Allah, the Mighty and Sublime”‘ Grade : Hasan (Darussalam) Reference : Sunan an-Nasa’i 1843 In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 26

Related Post: 5 Questions That You Will Be Asked On The Day of Judgement

But Muhammad was permitted to visit the grave of his mother: so visit them, for they will remind you of the Hereafter.” Grade : Sahih (Darussalam) Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1054 In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 90

In a separate hadith narrated from Jabir bin ‘Abdullah bin ‘Atik:

The Prophet (SAWS) came to visit ‘Abdullah bin Thabit (when he was sick) and found him very close to death. He called out to him and he did not respond, so the Messenger of Allah said: “Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return,” and said: “We wanted you to live but we were overtaken by the decree of Allah, O Abu Ar-Rabi.” The women screamed and wept, and Ibn “Atik started telling them to quiet. The Messenger of Allah said: “Leave them; when the inevitable comes, no one should weep.” They said: “What is the inevitable, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Death.”

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar, from ‘Umar, that the Prophet said:”The deceased is punished due to the weeping of his family for him.” Grade : Sahih (Darussalam) Reference : Sunan an-Nasa’i 1848 In-book reference : Book 21, Hadith 31

It is human nature to start crying but when someone starts wailing and screaming it becomes unacceptable. Try to control your emotions because wailing is a sign you are upset with the decree of Allah.

Visiting The Graves of Non-Muslims

Abu Huraira reported: The Apostle of Allah (swt) visited the grave of his mother and he wept, and moved others around him to tears, and said: I sought permission from my Lord to beg forgiveness for her but it was not granted to me, and I sought permission to visit her grave and it was granted to me so visit the graves, for that makes you mindful of death. Reference : Sahih Muslim 976 b In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 135

From this hadith many scholars understood that the mother of the Prophet (pbuh) died as an idolater. For that reason he was not allowed to ask Allah for her forgiveness. Some dispute this interpretation, but nevertheless it was interpreted by many as permission to visit the graves of non-Muslims.

On Cursing Graves (Backbbiting)

The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, “Don’t abuse the dead, because they have reached the result of what they forwarded.” Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1393 In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 148

Ibn Umar narrated that: The Messenger of Allah said: “Mention good things about your dead, and refrain from (mentioning) their evil.” References al-Tirmidhi Book of Janaiz #1019 Jami at-Tirmidhi Vol. 2, Book 10, Hadith 1019

CONCLUSION

Visiting the grave can be a meaningful spiritual journey. Remember the message of the Prophet, “What is the inevitable, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Death”

Let the graveyard serve as a remembrance for all Muslims of our purpose here on earth.

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