Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)
Question:
What is the reason for the prohibition of women visiting graves?
Answer:
1. There is a strong prohibition regarding this in the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that:
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed women who visit graves."
When Sayyidah Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) went to offer condolences to some people, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"If you had gone with them even up to Kadha (the nearest graveyard), you would not have seen Paradise."
2. The reason for this is explained in the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to women who accompanied funeral processions:
"Return, you will not be rewarded but rather be sinful. You are a source of temptation for the living and a cause of harm to the dead."
In this Hadith, two reasons are given for the prohibition. Firstly, women are a source of temptation for the living because a woman is supposed to remain in seclusion. Therefore, her presence in front of non-mahram men can lead to temptation and the commission of sins. Secondly, women can be a cause of harm to the deceased, as they are generally less patient and more emotional. Consequently, during visits to graves, they might express their grief by wailing or lamenting, which is prohibited in Shariah.
Question:
What is the reason for the prohibition of women visiting graves?
Answer:
1. There is a strong prohibition regarding this in the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that:
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لعن زوارات القبور [رواء أحمد والترمذي وابن ماجه]
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed women who visit graves."
When Sayyidah Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) went to offer condolences to some people, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
لو بلغت معهم الكذاء ما رأيت الجنة [العلل المتناهية لابن الجوزي]
"If you had gone with them even up to Kadha (the nearest graveyard), you would not have seen Paradise."
2. The reason for this is explained in the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to women who accompanied funeral processions:
ارجعن مأزورات غیر مأجورات، فإنکن تفتن الحی وتؤذین المیت
"Return, you will not be rewarded but rather be sinful. You are a source of temptation for the living and a cause of harm to the dead."
In this Hadith, two reasons are given for the prohibition. Firstly, women are a source of temptation for the living because a woman is supposed to remain in seclusion. Therefore, her presence in front of non-mahram men can lead to temptation and the commission of sins. Secondly, women can be a cause of harm to the deceased, as they are generally less patient and more emotional. Consequently, during visits to graves, they might express their grief by wailing or lamenting, which is prohibited in Shariah.