4 Proofs Why it is Halal For Women to Visit Graves
C.J Ahmed-01.05.2023
There is a lot of misinformation out there which has confused Muslim brothers and Sisters on whether a female could visit graves. The fatwas are strongly prejudiced against women and willfully prohibit women from going to graves by only quoting the hadiths which fit their misogynistic worldview. The truth is, women can definitely visit graves just like men and there is nothing haram in doing so.
The Misunderstood Hadiths
There are several hadiths which are often quoted and tken out of context to mean that women are prohibited from visiting graves.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
“The Messenger of Allah (sal) cursed women who visit graves, those who built mosques over them and erected lamps (there).” (Abu Dawud)
This hadith wa graded as weak (daif) by Albani. Ther is another hadith which is a hasan hadith where Ibn ‘Abbas said that God’s Messenger cursed women who visited graves, people who put mosques there and those who lit lamps there. (Abu-Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasai-Graded Hasan(fair) Sahih by lbani)
What needs to be understood is that the context of this was that it wa prohibited before for women to visit graves and not only was it forbidden or womn, it was alsoforbidden for men as well because the certain idolatrous activities such as grave worshipping and others could hppen and to stop people from doing so. Later, going to the graveyard ws not prohibited in Islam.
The above hadiths sheds light in clearing the controversy in women and it is clear that the prohibition of people visiting the graves was during the earlier times and later it was allowed for both men nd women to go to graveyards. The following authentic hadiths prove beyond doubt that women can visit graves.
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet (sal) passed by a woman who was weeping beside a grave. He told her to fear Allah and be patient. She said to him, "Go away, for you have not been afflicted with a calamity like mine." And she did not recognize him. Then she was informed that he was the Prophet (sal) . so she went to the house of the Prophe (sal) and there she did not find any guard. Then she said to him, "I did not recognize you." He said, "Verily, the patience is at the first stroke of a calamity."(Bukhari and Muslim)
In another hadith, Aisha (rali) followed the prophet (sal) to Baqi which is a graveyard.
Conclusion
Women visiting graves is not prohibited in Islam and what was prohibited before or both men and women to visit graves was abrogated.
There is a lot of misinformation out there which has confused Muslim brothers and Sisters on whether a female could visit graves. The fatwas are strongly prejudiced against women and willfully prohibit women from going to graves by only quoting the hadiths which fit their misogynistic worldview. The truth is, women can definitely visit graves just like men and there is nothing haram in doing so.
The Misunderstood Hadiths
There are several hadiths which are often quoted and tken out of context to mean that women are prohibited from visiting graves.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
“The Messenger of Allah (sal) cursed women who visit graves, those who built mosques over them and erected lamps (there).” (Abu Dawud)
This hadith wa graded as weak (daif) by Albani. Ther is another hadith which is a hasan hadith where Ibn ‘Abbas said that God’s Messenger cursed women who visited graves, people who put mosques there and those who lit lamps there. (Abu-Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasai-Graded Hasan(fair) Sahih by lbani)
What needs to be understood is that the context of this was that it wa prohibited before for women to visit graves and not only was it forbidden or womn, it was alsoforbidden for men as well because the certain idolatrous activities such as grave worshipping and others could hppen and to stop people from doing so. Later, going to the graveyard ws not prohibited in Islam.
- Buraidah bin Al-Husaib al-Aslami (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sal) said:
- It was narrated from Ibn Buraidah that his father said:
The above hadiths sheds light in clearing the controversy in women and it is clear that the prohibition of people visiting the graves was during the earlier times and later it was allowed for both men nd women to go to graveyards. The following authentic hadiths prove beyond doubt that women can visit graves.
- Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet (sal) passed by a woman who was weeping beside a grave. He told her to fear Allah and be patient. She said to him, "Go away, for you have not been afflicted with a calamity like mine." And she did not recognize him. Then she was informed that he was the Prophet (sal) . so she went to the house of the Prophe (sal) and there she did not find any guard. Then she said to him, "I did not recognize you." He said, "Verily, the patience is at the first stroke of a calamity."(Bukhari and Muslim)
In another hadith, Aisha (rali) followed the prophet (sal) to Baqi which is a graveyard.
- He (Muhammad b. Qais) then reported that it was 'Aisha who had narrated this: Should I not narrate to you about myself and about the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)? We said: Yes. She said: When it was my turn for Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) to spend the night with me, he turned his side, put on his mantle and took off his shoes and placed them near his feet, and spread the corner of his shawl on his bed and then lay down till he thought that I had gone to sleep. He took hold of his mantle slowly and put on the shoes slowly, and opened the door and went out and then closed it lightly. I covered my head, put on my veil and tightened my waist wrapper, and then went out following his steps till he reached Baqi'. He stood there and he stood for a long time. He then lifted his hands three times, and then returned and I also returned. He hastened his steps and I also hastened my steps. He ran and I too ran. He came (to the house) and I also came (to the house). I, however, preceded him and I entered (the house), and as I lay down in the bed, he (the Holy Prophet) entered the (house), and said: Why is it, O 'Aisha, that you are out of breath? I said: There is nothing. He said: Tell me or the Subtle and the Aware would inform me. I said: Messenger of Allah, may my father and mother be ransom for you, and then I told him (the whole story). He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly? (Sahih Muslim)
Conclusion
Women visiting graves is not prohibited in Islam and what was prohibited before or both men and women to visit graves was abrogated.