´It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:` "The Messenger of Allah visited the grave of his mother and wept, and caused those around him to weep. He said: 'I asked my Lord for permission to pray for forgiveness for her and He did not give me permission, and I asked Him for permission to visit her grave and He gave me permission, so visit the graves, for they will remind you of death."'
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
(1) Imam Sahib rahimahullah deduced from the lack of permission for seeking forgiveness that the Prophet’s mother had passed away before Islam, and for such people, supplicating for forgiveness is prohibited.
(2) The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was still in childhood when his mother passed away. The desire to visit the graves of one’s mother and father is a natural matter, and there is no legal restriction on it. Weeping at the time of visiting the grave is also a natural thing, especially since you saw your mother’s grave for the first time in a conscious state. Allah knows best what kinds of emotions of love and affection must have surged in your heart—motherly love is no ordinary thing.
(3) In order to show good conduct towards parents, it is not necessary that they be Muslim; whether they are Muslim, disbeliever, or polytheist, it is the duty of the children to treat them with kindness.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 2036
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
➊ Visiting graves reminds a person of the fleeting nature of this world and of the Hereafter. It also removes the hardness of the heart.
➋ Visiting the graves of disbelievers is also a source of admonition. Visiting the graves of Muslims brings the reward of supplicating for their forgiveness. Visiting the graves of relatives and loved ones leaves a special impression on the heart.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 3234
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊
Visiting graves refers to going to the general graveyard. When one sees the graves of one’s friends and elders there, it brings to mind the thought that just as these people were once with us but are now separated from us, in the same way, we too will one day leave this world and be present before our Lord, and then we will have to account for our deeds.
➋
At those graves upon which buildings have been constructed, the intended purpose of remembering the Hereafter is not achieved. This is because one’s attention is not directed towards the transience of the world, but rather the decorations, beauty, and style of the building’s construction occupy a person’s attention. As a result, the purpose of visiting graves is lost.
➌
The method of visiting graves is that one should go there and supplicate for the well-being of the buried Muslims, as has been mentioned in previous ahadith—see: (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1547, 1546).
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 1569
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊
It is permissible to visit the graveyards of non-Muslims.
However, one should not recite there the supplication that is recited in Muslim graveyards,
because supplicating for forgiveness for a non-Muslim is not permissible.
➋
Visiting the graves of non-Muslims also brings the benefit of remembering death and developing disinterest in the world,
provided that there is no adornment or display there which would attract attention and distract from the remembrance of the Hereafter and death.
➌
Intercession (shafa‘ah) can only be accepted
if it is by Allah’s permission.
There can be no intercession for the polytheists (mushrikin),
because Allah, the Exalted, has not permitted it.
See:
On the Day of Resurrection, there will be intercession for sinful believers,
but not for those who committed major shirk (shirk akbar).
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 1572