◈ Visiting Graves and Raising Hands in Du‘a on Eid Day: A Critical Analysis in Light of Qur’an, Hadith, and the Practice of the Companions ◈
✿ Written by: Abu al-Asqa‘ Qari Usama bin Abd al-Salam ✿
Allah the Almighty says:
﴿وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ﴾
(Surah Hud: 113)
Translation: "And do not incline towards those who have wronged, lest the Fire should touch you. You have no protectors other than Allah, then you will not be helped."
This verse generally warns against adopting unauthorized religious practices or innovations. Acts of worship and devotion must strictly align with the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, avoiding the inclusion of any cultural or innovative rituals.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ permitted grave visitation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"زُورُوا الْقُبُورَ، فَإِنَّهَا تُذَكِّرُكُمُ الْآخِرَةَ"
(Sahih Muslim: 976)
Translation: "Visit the graves, for indeed they remind you of the Hereafter."
This Hadith generally permits grave visitation. However, there is no specification that such a visit is to be done specifically on Eid day.
✔ The Prophet’s ﷺ manner of praying at the graveyard:
When the Prophet ﷺ visited Jannat al-Baqi‘, he would say:
"السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لَاحِقُونَ، نَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ لَنَا وَلَكُمُ الْعَافِيَةَ"
(Sahih Muslim: 974)
This proves that making du‘a at the grave is permissible, but there is no report that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands while doing so.
✔ Was Eid day a special occasion for visiting graves?
There is no authentic report that the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions visited graves specifically on Eid day.
If someone intentionally considers grave visitation on Eid day to be a religious practice, it becomes an innovation (bid‘ah).
However, if someone regularly visits the graves and happens to go on Eid without assigning special religious merit, it is not objectionable.
No authentic narration exists from any of the leading Companions—such as Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, or Ali رضي الله عنهم—indicating that they specifically visited the graveyard on Eid day.
This absence confirms that Eid-day grave visitation is not a Sunnah, nor was it part of the Companions’ religious practice.
It is established that the Prophet ﷺ made du‘a at graves, but raising the hands during such du‘a is not reported.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله states:
"رفع اليدين عند الدعاء على القبور ليس من السنة، بل هو محدث."
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa: 22/523)
Translation: "Raising the hands in du‘a at graves is not part of the Sunnah; rather, it is an innovation."
Imam al-Nawawi رحمه الله said:
"يستحب أن يدعو للميت عند زيارته، ولكن بدون رفع اليدين."
(Al-Majmu‘: 5/310)
Translation: "It is recommended to make du‘a for the deceased when visiting the grave, but without raising the hands."
These statements affirm that du‘a at graves is Sunnah, but raising the hands while doing so is an innovation (bid‘ah).
Some people argue:
➊ “Eid is a day of happiness, but we should remember our deceased loved ones too.”
➋ “The Prophet ﷺ encouraged visiting graves, so why not on Eid?”
➌ “If du‘a is allowed, then what harm is there in raising hands?”
Analysis:
➊ While remembering the deceased is encouraged, designating Eid day for grave visitation without precedent from the Prophet ﷺ or Companions makes it a ritual innovation.
➋ Visiting graves is permissible on any day, but assigning a specific day without proof from the Sunnah is not permissible.
➌ No authentic Hadith or practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions supports raising hands in du‘a at graves, and leading jurists have declared it an innovation.
✔ There is no evidence from the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, or the Tabi‘in that they visited graves specifically on Eid day.
✔ Du‘a at graves is proven, but raising the hands while doing so is not Sunnah, and is considered a bid‘ah (innovation).
✔ One may visit the graveyard on Eid, provided it is not done with the belief that it is a religiously mandated act.
✔ The best practice on Eid day is to engage in worship, join family, and make du‘a for the deceased at home or in the mosque.
Visiting the graveyard specifically on Eid day is not Sunnah.
Raising hands in du‘a at graves is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions.
Grave visitation in general is permissible and recommended.
Offering salam and du‘a at the grave is Sunnah — without raising the hands.
Let every Muslim honor the traditions of the Prophet ﷺ by avoiding ritual innovations, and instead, focus on the authentic practices that earn the pleasure of Allah.
✿ Written by: Abu al-Asqa‘ Qari Usama bin Abd al-Salam ✿
❶ Evidence from the Qur’an
Allah the Almighty says:
﴿وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ﴾
(Surah Hud: 113)
Translation: "And do not incline towards those who have wronged, lest the Fire should touch you. You have no protectors other than Allah, then you will not be helped."
This verse generally warns against adopting unauthorized religious practices or innovations. Acts of worship and devotion must strictly align with the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, avoiding the inclusion of any cultural or innovative rituals.❷ Evidence from the Hadith
✔ The Prophet ﷺ permitted grave visitation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:"زُورُوا الْقُبُورَ، فَإِنَّهَا تُذَكِّرُكُمُ الْآخِرَةَ"
(Sahih Muslim: 976)
Translation: "Visit the graves, for indeed they remind you of the Hereafter."
This Hadith generally permits grave visitation. However, there is no specification that such a visit is to be done specifically on Eid day.✔ The Prophet’s ﷺ manner of praying at the graveyard:
When the Prophet ﷺ visited Jannat al-Baqi‘, he would say:"السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لَاحِقُونَ، نَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ لَنَا وَلَكُمُ الْعَافِيَةَ"
(Sahih Muslim: 974)
This proves that making du‘a at the grave is permissible, but there is no report that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands while doing so.✔ Was Eid day a special occasion for visiting graves?
There is no authentic report that the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions visited graves specifically on Eid day. If someone intentionally considers grave visitation on Eid day to be a religious practice, it becomes an innovation (bid‘ah). However, if someone regularly visits the graves and happens to go on Eid without assigning special religious merit, it is not objectionable.❸ Consensus of the Companions (Ijma‘ al-Sahabah)
No authentic narration exists from any of the leading Companions—such as Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, or Ali رضي الله عنهم—indicating that they specifically visited the graveyard on Eid day. This absence confirms that Eid-day grave visitation is not a Sunnah, nor was it part of the Companions’ religious practice.❹ Scholarly Views on Raising Hands for Du‘a at Graves
It is established that the Prophet ﷺ made du‘a at graves, but raising the hands during such du‘a is not reported. Imam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله states:"رفع اليدين عند الدعاء على القبور ليس من السنة، بل هو محدث."
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa: 22/523)
Translation: "Raising the hands in du‘a at graves is not part of the Sunnah; rather, it is an innovation."
Imam al-Nawawi رحمه الله said:"يستحب أن يدعو للميت عند زيارته، ولكن بدون رفع اليدين."
(Al-Majmu‘: 5/310)
Translation: "It is recommended to make du‘a for the deceased when visiting the grave, but without raising the hands."
These statements affirm that du‘a at graves is Sunnah, but raising the hands while doing so is an innovation (bid‘ah).❺ Responses to Common Arguments in Favor
Some people argue:
➊ “Eid is a day of happiness, but we should remember our deceased loved ones too.”
➋ “The Prophet ﷺ encouraged visiting graves, so why not on Eid?”
➌ “If du‘a is allowed, then what harm is there in raising hands?”
Analysis:➊ While remembering the deceased is encouraged, designating Eid day for grave visitation without precedent from the Prophet ﷺ or Companions makes it a ritual innovation.
➋ Visiting graves is permissible on any day, but assigning a specific day without proof from the Sunnah is not permissible.
➌ No authentic Hadith or practice of the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions supports raising hands in du‘a at graves, and leading jurists have declared it an innovation.
❻ Conclusion
✔ There is no evidence from the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, or the Tabi‘in that they visited graves specifically on Eid day.
✔ Du‘a at graves is proven, but raising the hands while doing so is not Sunnah, and is considered a bid‘ah (innovation).
✔ One may visit the graveyard on Eid, provided it is not done with the belief that it is a religiously mandated act.
✔ The best practice on Eid day is to engage in worship, join family, and make du‘a for the deceased at home or in the mosque.
Summary
Visiting the graveyard specifically on Eid day is not Sunnah. Raising hands in du‘a at graves is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions. Grave visitation in general is permissible and recommended. Offering salam and du‘a at the grave is Sunnah — without raising the hands. Let every Muslim honor the traditions of the Prophet ﷺ by avoiding ritual innovations, and instead, focus on the authentic practices that earn the pleasure of Allah.