Adapted from the book “Shirk ke Chor Darwazay” by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi and Hafiz Mahmood al-Khizri
Reference: Misbah al-Lughat, p. 542
However, in contemporary Sufism, “Urs” refers to the annual festivals held at real or presumed graves.
Source: Urs aur Melay by Maulana Ataullah Hanif
According to Tareekh-e-Inglistan (History of England), Christian priests used to organize similar gatherings. Roman Catholicism strongly emphasized monasticism. Monasteries were endowed with vast estates and waqf properties. Followers of the Pope dominated these lands, collecting offerings and donations from visitors, and issued them “pardons”, assuring them of eternal salvation without punishment in the afterlife. Due to these corrupt custodians, the monasteries became centers of vulgarity and immorality. Eventually, the essence of Christianity became limited to merely visiting these “divine centers” to obtain a certificate of salvation.
(لَا تَجْعَلُوا قَبْرِى عِيداً)
“Do not make my grave a place of festivity.”
(Sahih Abu Dawood by Al-Albani, Book of Manasik, Chapter on Visiting Graves, Hadith No. 2042)
An Eid comprises three elements:
① A gathering
② A fixed date
③ Rejoicing
Thus, this Hadith means: Do not organize a joyful gathering at my grave on a specific date.
If such a gathering is not allowed for the Prophet’s ﷺ grave, how can it be permissible for anyone else's?
(( هَذَا إِشَارَةٌ إِلَى سَةٍ مَدْخَلَ التَّحْرِيفِ... ))
This Hadith hints at closing the doors of distortion, as practiced by Jews and Christians with the graves of their prophets by turning them into seasons and places of pilgrimage.
Tafhimat Ilahiyyah (2/74):
(( وَمِنْ أَعْظَمِ الْبِدْعَ... ))
Among the greatest innovations is what they have invented concerning the graves of saints by turning them into places of festivity.
Hujjatullah al-Baligha (1/61):
(( وَهَذَا مَرَضُ .... ))
This is a disease that has afflicted some of the extreme hypocrites of this Ummah in our times.
Shah Abdul Azizؒ writes in his fatwa:
Gathering at graves on a fixed day in luxurious clothes like Eid, with dancing, music, prostration, and circumambulation—these are strictly prohibited. Some of these acts may even amount to disbelief and shirk.
Qadhi Thanaullah Panipatiؒ:
(( لَا يَجُورُ مَا يَفْعَلُهُ الْجُهَّالِ... ))
It is absolutely impermissible for ignorant people to perform prostrations, circumambulations, and illuminate shrines, and to gather there annually as they call Urs.
Maulana Muhammad Ishaq:
(( مقرر کردن روز عرس جائز نیست. ))
Specifying a day for Urs is impermissible.
(Arba’een Masail, p. 28)
These festivals also entail grave political, social, and economic harms, which cannot be elaborated upon here.
The irony lies in the fact that those involved in these vile practices claim to follow Sufis and the Hanafi school, whereas the true Sufis always strove to protect the pure spring of Islam from such innovations, and renowned Hanafi scholars openly denounced these pagan rituals.
◈ Linguistic Background of "Urs"
In Arabic lexicon, the root word "ع رس" is commonly used in the context of marriage and its related matters.Reference: Misbah al-Lughat, p. 542
However, in contemporary Sufism, “Urs” refers to the annual festivals held at real or presumed graves.
Source: Urs aur Melay by Maulana Ataullah Hanif
◈ Urs and Festivals as a Gateway to Shirk
The annual gatherings held at graves and shrines under the title of Urs are a major avenue towards Shirk.According to Tareekh-e-Inglistan (History of England), Christian priests used to organize similar gatherings. Roman Catholicism strongly emphasized monasticism. Monasteries were endowed with vast estates and waqf properties. Followers of the Pope dominated these lands, collecting offerings and donations from visitors, and issued them “pardons”, assuring them of eternal salvation without punishment in the afterlife. Due to these corrupt custodians, the monasteries became centers of vulgarity and immorality. Eventually, the essence of Christianity became limited to merely visiting these “divine centers” to obtain a certificate of salvation.
◈ Parallel Practices in Hinduism
Similarly, in India, from ancient times, people have believed that visiting certain revered locations ensures forgiveness and success. Hindus still gather annually at rivers like Ganges and Yamuna for the same reasons. They offer donations and present gifts to their sadhus, seeking certificates of salvation. So much wealth is collected on these occasions that even the treasury of a wealthy government cannot compare.◈ The Imitation by Muslims
Unfortunately, many so-called Muslims have adopted this exact practice—only with greater dedication and elaborate arrangements. They organize festivals at graves with great devotion. People travel from different regions to these shrines. Upon arrival, they engage in the same rituals as seen in Hindu gatherings:- Tying the Ihram upon sighting the dome
- Prostrating and rubbing their noses on stairs or thresholds
- Circumambulating the graves
- Offering black goats to the custodians
- Lighting candles and presenting monetary offerings
◈ Prophetic Prohibition of Grave Gatherings
It must be remembered: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did not permit such a gathering even for his own grave. He advised:(لَا تَجْعَلُوا قَبْرِى عِيداً)
“Do not make my grave a place of festivity.”
(Sahih Abu Dawood by Al-Albani, Book of Manasik, Chapter on Visiting Graves, Hadith No. 2042)
An Eid comprises three elements:
① A gathering
② A fixed date
③ Rejoicing
Thus, this Hadith means: Do not organize a joyful gathering at my grave on a specific date.
If such a gathering is not allowed for the Prophet’s ﷺ grave, how can it be permissible for anyone else's?
◈ Scholarly Views on the Prohibition of Urs
Shah Waliullah Dehlawiؒ states:(( هَذَا إِشَارَةٌ إِلَى سَةٍ مَدْخَلَ التَّحْرِيفِ... ))
This Hadith hints at closing the doors of distortion, as practiced by Jews and Christians with the graves of their prophets by turning them into seasons and places of pilgrimage.
Tafhimat Ilahiyyah (2/74):
(( وَمِنْ أَعْظَمِ الْبِدْعَ... ))
Among the greatest innovations is what they have invented concerning the graves of saints by turning them into places of festivity.
Hujjatullah al-Baligha (1/61):
(( وَهَذَا مَرَضُ .... ))
This is a disease that has afflicted some of the extreme hypocrites of this Ummah in our times.
Shah Abdul Azizؒ writes in his fatwa:
Gathering at graves on a fixed day in luxurious clothes like Eid, with dancing, music, prostration, and circumambulation—these are strictly prohibited. Some of these acts may even amount to disbelief and shirk.
Qadhi Thanaullah Panipatiؒ:
(( لَا يَجُورُ مَا يَفْعَلُهُ الْجُهَّالِ... ))
It is absolutely impermissible for ignorant people to perform prostrations, circumambulations, and illuminate shrines, and to gather there annually as they call Urs.
Maulana Muhammad Ishaq:
(( مقرر کردن روز عرس جائز نیست. ))
Specifying a day for Urs is impermissible.
(Arba’een Masail, p. 28)
◈ Final Verdict
From the perspective of Islamic Shariah:- Urs is neither Fard, Wajib, Sunnah, nor Mustahabb.
- It is explicitly prohibited in Hadith because it mimics the practices of polytheists and leads directly to Shirk.
These festivals also entail grave political, social, and economic harms, which cannot be elaborated upon here.
The irony lies in the fact that those involved in these vile practices claim to follow Sufis and the Hanafi school, whereas the true Sufis always strove to protect the pure spring of Islam from such innovations, and renowned Hanafi scholars openly denounced these pagan rituals.
