Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊
Our esteemed researcher has declared the mentioned narration weak in its chain of transmission, and has further written that, except for the phrase (فَإِنَّهَا تُزَهِّدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا), the rest of the hadith has supporting narrations in Sahih Muslim, as the first sentence is present in a hadith of Sahih Muslim. Its wording is as follows:
“I had forbidden you from visiting graves. So now visit them. And I had forbidden you from keeping the meat of sacrificial animals for more than three days. Now you may keep it for as long as you wish. ... etc.” (Sahih Muslim, al-Adahi, Chapter: Clarification of what was from the prohibition of eating the meat of sacrificial animals after three days at the beginning of Islam and clarification of the abrogation of this, permitting it for as long as one wishes, Hadith: 1976)
The wisdom of visiting graves is also mentioned in another authentic hadith. As is coming in Hadith 1572: “Visit the graves, for they remind you of death.” This sentence is also mentioned in a hadith of Sahih Muslim. See: (Sahih Muslim, al-Jana’iz, Chapter: The Prophet’s ﷺ seeking permission from his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, to visit his mother’s grave, Hadith: 976)
Therefore, the mentioned narration, except for the phrase (فَإِنَّهَا تُزَهِّدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا), is actionable and authoritative due to its supporting narrations.
➋
Just as some previously revealed verses of the Noble Qur’an are abrogated by other verses revealed later, similarly, a previous hadith can also be abrogated by a subsequent hadith, as is explicitly mentioned in this narration.
➌
Earning a livelihood in a lawful manner in this world, and spending on oneself and one’s family without extravagance, pride, or arrogance, is permissible. However, greed for wealth and immersion in luxury and comfort make a person heedless of the Hereafter. To remedy this state of the heart, one should visit the graveyard, so that one remembers one’s own death and develops eagerness to prepare for the next world.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 1571
Shaykh Safi ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri
Lexical Explanation:
«فَزُورُوهَا» is the imperative form derived from «زيارة». This permission was granted after prohibition.
«تُذَكَّرُ» is derived from «تذكير», meaning it serves as a reminder.
«تُزْهَّدُ» is derived from «تزهيد», meaning it makes one disinterested in the world and ascetic. This is the sole purpose and objective of visiting graves.
Benefits and Issues: This hadith establishes that visiting graves is permissible.
➋ In the beginning, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade it, but later granted permission, and the purpose of this is to remember the Hereafter and to supplicate for forgiveness and mercy for the deceased.
➌ There is no legitimacy in the pure Shariah for making vows and offerings at graves, or for holding festivals (urs) and the like.
Source: Bulugh al-Maram: Commentary by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri, Page: 472