Original article authored by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (Hafizahullah), enhanced with headings and additional structuring for easier reading.
The excessive and unnecessary reverence of graves has given rise to numerous theological and moral issues. Many individuals engage in polytheistic beliefs and practices at graves and shrines, including making prostrations at the graves of saints and righteous individuals. Such actions are done in imitation of the Jews and Christians.
① People sit at graves and engage in meditation, seeking assistance from the deceased for the fulfillment of their needs.
② In every difficulty, they call upon and plead to the deceased.
③ They fear them and place their hopes in them.
④ They offer tributes at the graves, make vows, and present offerings.
At many shrines, certain individuals known as custodians (Mujawirs) narrate fabricated miracles and tales of the saints to exploit the wealth of visitors. Their objective is to draw the public towards grave worship and saint veneration, which results in acts of shirk and innovation.
① Becoming a custodian of a grave and residing there is an innovation, resembling the practices of the Jews and Christians.
② The polytheists treated their idols in a similar manner.
◈ Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:70-71):
The people of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) worshipped idols and remained their custodians.
Arabic Text: "When Ibrahim (عليه السلام) said to his father and his people, 'What are these things you worship?' They said, 'We worship idols and remain devoted to them.'"
◈ Surah Al-Anbiya (21:52):
Ibrahim (عليه السلام) questioned his people about the idols they were devoted to.
◈ Surah Al-A’raf (7:138):
The Israelites asked Musa (عليه السلام) to appoint a deity for them like the deities of the disbelievers.
Arabic Text: "And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and they came upon a people devoted to their idols. They said, 'O Musa! Make for us a god like they have gods.' Musa (عليه السلام) said, 'Indeed, you are an ignorant people.'"
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ refuted the glorification of trees and similar beliefs held by polytheists, rejecting the notion of revering trees or graves as done by idolaters.
◈ Sahih Ibn Hibban (6702):
On one occasion, the Companions asked the Prophet ﷺ to designate a tree for them like the tree of the polytheists, Dhatu Anwat. The Prophet ﷺ responded that this was the way of past nations.
◈ Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah:
Retreating at graves, serving them, and draping cloths over them are forbidden and resemble the practices of the polytheists.
◈ Allama Ibn al-Qayyim:
Unnecessary reverence of graves leads a person into shirk and innovation. Practices such as retreating at graves, draping cloths, and serving them resemble idol worship.
Some have falsely attributed the role of a grave custodian to the Companions, claiming that Aisha (رضي الله عنها) was the custodian of the Prophet ﷺ's grave. However, this claim is incorrect because Aisha (رضي الله عنها)'s chamber was her personal property, and it had no relation to being a custodian.
In the light of the Qur'an and Sunnah, being a custodian of graves and unnecessarily venerating them falls under the categories of innovation and shirk. Muslims should avoid such innovative practices and seek assistance directly from Allah alone. May Allah grant us the ability to walk the Straight Path. Ameen.
❖ Excessive Veneration of Graves and Acts of Shirk
The excessive and unnecessary reverence of graves has given rise to numerous theological and moral issues. Many individuals engage in polytheistic beliefs and practices at graves and shrines, including making prostrations at the graves of saints and righteous individuals. Such actions are done in imitation of the Jews and Christians.
❖ Polytheistic Beliefs and Practices
① People sit at graves and engage in meditation, seeking assistance from the deceased for the fulfillment of their needs.
② In every difficulty, they call upon and plead to the deceased.
③ They fear them and place their hopes in them.
④ They offer tributes at the graves, make vows, and present offerings.
❖ Grave Custodians and Deception
At many shrines, certain individuals known as custodians (Mujawirs) narrate fabricated miracles and tales of the saints to exploit the wealth of visitors. Their objective is to draw the public towards grave worship and saint veneration, which results in acts of shirk and innovation.
❖ The Innovation of Being a Mujawir
① Becoming a custodian of a grave and residing there is an innovation, resembling the practices of the Jews and Christians.
② The polytheists treated their idols in a similar manner.
❖ In the Light of Qur'anic Verses
◈ Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:70-71):
The people of Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) worshipped idols and remained their custodians.
Arabic Text: "When Ibrahim (عليه السلام) said to his father and his people, 'What are these things you worship?' They said, 'We worship idols and remain devoted to them.'"
◈ Surah Al-Anbiya (21:52):
Ibrahim (عليه السلام) questioned his people about the idols they were devoted to.
◈ Surah Al-A’raf (7:138):
The Israelites asked Musa (عليه السلام) to appoint a deity for them like the deities of the disbelievers.
Arabic Text: "And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and they came upon a people devoted to their idols. They said, 'O Musa! Make for us a god like they have gods.' Musa (عليه السلام) said, 'Indeed, you are an ignorant people.'"
❖ In the Light of Hadith
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ refuted the glorification of trees and similar beliefs held by polytheists, rejecting the notion of revering trees or graves as done by idolaters.
◈ Sahih Ibn Hibban (6702):
On one occasion, the Companions asked the Prophet ﷺ to designate a tree for them like the tree of the polytheists, Dhatu Anwat. The Prophet ﷺ responded that this was the way of past nations.
❖ Opinions of Scholars
◈ Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah:
Retreating at graves, serving them, and draping cloths over them are forbidden and resemble the practices of the polytheists.
◈ Allama Ibn al-Qayyim:
Unnecessary reverence of graves leads a person into shirk and innovation. Practices such as retreating at graves, draping cloths, and serving them resemble idol worship.
❖ Refutation of the Grave-Worshippers’ Arguments
Some have falsely attributed the role of a grave custodian to the Companions, claiming that Aisha (رضي الله عنها) was the custodian of the Prophet ﷺ's grave. However, this claim is incorrect because Aisha (رضي الله عنها)'s chamber was her personal property, and it had no relation to being a custodian.
❖ Conclusion
In the light of the Qur'an and Sunnah, being a custodian of graves and unnecessarily venerating them falls under the categories of innovation and shirk. Muslims should avoid such innovative practices and seek assistance directly from Allah alone. May Allah grant us the ability to walk the Straight Path. Ameen.
