Etiquettes Regarding Graves in Islaam
Abu Marthad al Ghanawee رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Do not face the graves in prayer, nor
sit on them.” (Saheeh Muslim)
Abu Sa’eed al Khudri رضي الله عنه reported that Allaah’s
Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
“All of the earth is a place of prayer except the graveyard or the bathroom.”
Ibn ‘Abbaas رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Allaah’s curse is upon the Jews and
Christians - they turned their Prophets’ graves into places of prayer.” (Saheeh
Bukhari)
‘Aa’ishah رضي الله عنها said, “If it were
not for that reason, his grave would have been made visible to the people – but
it was feared that they would make it a place of prayer.” (Saheeh Bukhari)
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “O Allaah! Do not make my grave an
object of worship. Allaah curses the people who have turned their prophets’
graves into prayer places.” (Ahmaad)
A’aisha رضي الله عنها reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Those people, when a righteous man
among them died, they used to build over his grave a place of prayer and draw
those images. Those are the worst people before Allaah on the Day of
Resurrection.” (Saheeh Bukhari)
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Do not turn my grave into a place of
seasonal celebration and visitation, and do not turn your houses into graves.
Wherever you are, pray upon me, because your prayer will reach me.” (Sunan Abu
Daawood)
Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said that Imaam Malik hated for a person
to say salaam at the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم grave every time he
enters the masjid. It should only be done when a person comes from a journey.
It is forbidden to travel with the sole purpose of visiting a grave, even
the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم grave.
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله
عنه reported that Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “The camels may not be saddled (for travel)
except to three Masaajid: The Sacred Masjid (in Makkah), the Prophet’s Masjid
(in Madeenah) and Masjid al Aqsa (In Jerusalem).” (Saheeh Bukhaari)
It is not allowed to walk among the graves with shoes. “O man with
shoes! Woe to you! Remove your shoes!” (Abu Daawood)
The grave should not raise higher than a handspan (about 25cm) and
nothing should be built upon it nor should anything be written on it. A simple
stone or marker is all that is allowed to recognise the grave.
Jaabir رضي الله عنه said, “Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله
عليه وسلم prohibited plastering a grave, sitting on it, building over it,
adding to its height or writing on it.” (Saheeh Muslim)
‘Alee bin Abee Taalib رضي الله عنه reported that
Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, “Do not leave a graven image in a house
but deface it, and do not leave a high grave but level it.” (Saheeh Muslim).
Imaam Shawkaani رحمه الله said, “One form of raising the graves to which
this hadeeth applies to most is building domes and structures over them. That
also falls under making the graves places of worship and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has cursed whoever does that. Building,
raising and adorning the graves has resulted in evils that make Islaam weep. Among
those is the ignorant people’s belief in those graves resembles the pagan’s
belief in their idols – to the extent that they believe that they have the
ability to bring benefit and protect from harm…” (Nayl al Awtaar 4/72).
Du'aa to say at the Graveyard including the
Graveyard of Baqee in Madeenah:
السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ
وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ ، وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ بِكُمْ لَلَاحِقُونَ ، نَسْأَلُ
اللهَ لَنَا وَلَكُمُ الْعَافِيَةَ
"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."
Du'aa to say at the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم Grave
This du’aa is what Shaykh Bin Baz and Shaykh Fawzaan have
mentioned:
السلام عليك يا رسول الله ورحمة الله وبركاته صلى الله وسلم عليك وعلى
آلك وأصحابك، ويدعو له، جزاك الله عن الأمة خيراً، أشهد أنك بلغت الرسالة، وأديت
الأمانة، ونصحت الأمة، وجاهدت في الله حق جهاده
Peace be upon you O Messenger of Allaah and His Mercy and
His Blessings. Allaah send His Blessings upon you, your family and Companion.
(make du’aa for him). Allaah reward you with good on behalf of the Ummah. I
bear witness that you conveyed the message and fulfilled the trust, you advised
the Ummah and you strove in Allaah’s sake to the utmost.
