Ibn Bazz: Ruling on reciting AlFatihah over the graves of the Awliya’
Ruling on reciting AlFatihah over the graves of the Awliya’
Q: What is the ruling on visiting the graves, especially of the Awliya’ (pious people) as called in some neighboring Arab countries and reciting AlFatihah? Nevertheless, some admit that they do not intend Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), but claim that if they do not visit them, they will come to them in a dream asking them, why they had not come? What is the ruling on this action? May Allah reward you best.
A: It is an act of Sunnah for men to visit graves, as legislated by Allah (Glorified be He).
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The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Visit the graves for they remind you of the Hereafter. (Related by Imam Muslim in his Sahih [Authentic Hadith Book])It was reported also by Muslim in his
Sahihon the authority of Buraydah ibn AlHusayb (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to teach his Sahabah (Companions) to say the following when visiting the graves: Assalamu ‘ alaykum (May Allah’s Peace be upon you), dwellers of the abode, from believers and Muslims; and if Allah wills, we shall join you. I beg of Allah safety for us and you.
It was authentically reported on the authority of ‘ Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say when visiting the graves: Assalamu ‘alaykum (May
Allah’s Peace be upon you), dwellers of the abode, from believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy upon those who have gone ahead of us, and those who come later on. [According to another narration he (peace be upon him) added: O Allah, forgive the people of Baqi‘ AlGharqad.] He (peace be upon him) did not recite Surah (Qur’anic chapter) AlFatihah or any other Surah when visiting the graves. Reciting it at the time of the visit is Bid‘ah (innovation in religion). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Anyone who introduces something into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected. 
(Agreed upon by Imams AlBukhari and Muslim) Ina narration by Muslim(may Allah be merciful to him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Anyone who does an action which is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected. 
Inthe Sahih Book of Muslimon the authority of Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah AlAnsary (may Allah be pleased with them), the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say in his Khutbah (sermon) on Friday, The best of speech is the Book of Allah, the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace be upon him), the most evil of matters are those which are newlyinvented (in religion), and every Bid‘ah (innovation in religion) is a Dalalah (deviation from the right). The same Hadith was related by AlNasa’ywith the following addition: Every Dalalah will be in the Fire
Muslims should abide by the purified Shar‘ (Law) and avoid committing Bid‘ahs when visiting the graves or other places. Visitation is Mashru‘ (Islamically permissible) for the graves of all Muslims Awliya’ or not since all male or female believers are Awliya’ (pious servants) of Allah. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: No doubt! Verily, the Auliyâ’ of Allâh [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allâh and fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden), and love Allâh much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve. 
Those who believed (in the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism), and used to fear Allâh much (by abstaining from evil deeds and sins and by doing righteous deeds). In Surah (Qur’anic chapter) AlAnfal,Allah (Glorified be He) says: and they are not its guardians? None can be its guardians except AlMuttaqûn (the pious See V.2:2), but most of them know not.
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It is not permissible for the visitors or others to invoke the dead, seek their help, vow for them or slaughter sacrifices at their graves or at any other place, in a way to draw closer to them in the hope that they intercede on their behalf or to heal their sick people or give them victory over their enemies, and so on. All these matters come under ‘Ibadah (worship) which should be all devoted to Allah Alone. Allah (Glorified be He) says: And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him) And: And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone). And: And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allâh. And: And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And: So, call you (O Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلمand the believers) upon (or invoke) Allâh making (your) worship pure for Him (Alone) (by worshipping none but Him and by doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only and not to show off and not to set up rivals with Him in :)صلى االله عليه وسلمworship), however much the disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allâh) may hate (it). And: Say (O Muhammad "Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). 
"He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims." There are many Ayahs (Qur’anic verses) to the same effect. It was authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: The right of Allah over His Slaves is that they should worship Him and not associate anything with Him.
(Agreed upon by Imams AlBukhari and Muslim)on the authority of Mu‘adh (may Allah be pleased with him). This includes all acts of worship like Salah (Prayer), Sawm (Fast), Ruku‘ (bowing), Sujud (prostration), Hajj, Du‘a’ (supplication), sacrifice, vows and others, as mentioned in the previous Ayahs.It was reported in the Sahih Book of Muslimon the authority of‘Aly (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah
curses the one who sacrifices to anyone other than Allah."It was reported in the Sahih Book of AlBukharion the authority of‘Umar ibn AlKhattab (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do not exaggerate in praising me as
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the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Mary, for I am only His slave; rather, say, “The Slave of Allah and His Messenger.” There are many known Hadiths commanding devoting ‘ Ibadah to Allah Alone and forbidding Shirk. As for women, they should not visit graves,fortheMessengerofAllah(peacebeuponhim) Cursedthewomenwhovisitgraves. ThewisdombehindthisAllahknows best is that their visit may cause Fitnah (temptation) for them and for men. At the beginning of Islam, visiting the graves was forbidden to block all means and ways leading to Shirk. However, when Islam became widespread and Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah) prevailed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) allowed visitation for all, then specified that women are prohibited from visiting
graves, to block all means leading to Fitnah.
As for the graves of Kafirs (disbelievers/nonMuslims), there is no problem to visit them out of remembrance of the Hereafter and learning lessons; but one should not invoke Allah for them or ask Him to forgive them. It was authentically reported inthe Sahih Book of Muslimthat the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked Allah’s Permission to ask forgiveness for his mother, but he was not permitted, and when he asked Allah’s Permission to visit her grave, he was permitted; this is because she died in Jahiliyyah (preIslamic time of ignorance), while embracing the religion of her people.
I ask Allah to guide Muslims male and female to understand religion and to adhere to it through their words, actions and beliefs. I ask Allah to protect us all from all violations against the purified Shar‘. He is the one Capable of doing so. May Allah’s Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.
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