Author: Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jibreen (May Allah preserve him)
Answer:
It is not permissible to pray in such mosques, and any prayer performed there must be repeated. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"The earth is all a mosque except for graveyards and bathrooms."
(Musnad Ahmad 3/92, Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Prayer, Chapter: Places Where Prayer Is Not Permitted, Hadith 492; Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book of Prayer, Hadith 317 – Authentic)
This narration has been recorded by Imam Ahmad and other scholars of Sunan, and it has been authenticated by scholars like Imam al-Hakim.
"Umar saw me praying near a grave and said, 'O Anas, there is a grave here!' or, in another version, 'The grave is in front of you!' So he forbade me from praying there."
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 2/155, Book of Prayer, Hadith 7574-7575; Musannaf Abdul Razzaq 1/404, Hadith 1581)
Additionally, Imam Ibn Hibban and Imam al-Bazzar narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"The Prophet forbade praying between graves."
(Sahih Ibn Hibban 6/88, Hadith 2315; Al-Bazzar, Kashf al-Astar 1/221, Hadith 444-443)
Some jurists allow praying in areas with one or two graves, arguing that such places are not entirely considered graveyards. However, they also contend that the primary reason for prohibition is the impurity caused by the decay of bodies in graveyards.
② The Position of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah:
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah refuted this view, as detailed in his works, Iqtidha al-Sirat al-Mustaqim (p. 332), Al-Ikhtiyarat (p. 44), and Majmu' al-Fatawa (4/521, 11/290, 17/502). He asserted that the prohibition primarily aims to prevent people from venerating graves excessively, which can lead to polytheism (shirk), whether major or minor.
"Beware! Do not turn graves into mosques. I forbid you from doing so."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques and Prayer Places, Hadith 532)
This prohibition underscores the dangers of excessive reverence, which could lead to idolatry. Similarly, the Prophet (ﷺ) cursed those who venerate graves excessively:
"May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their prophets as places of worship."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 529)
Additionally, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Indeed, those before you would turn the graves of their prophets and righteous people into mosques. Beware! Do not do so."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 532)
Question:
What is the ruling regarding praying in mosques that contain graves?Answer:
It is not permissible to pray in such mosques, and any prayer performed there must be repeated. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"The earth is all a mosque except for graveyards and bathrooms."
(Musnad Ahmad 3/92, Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Prayer, Chapter: Places Where Prayer Is Not Permitted, Hadith 492; Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book of Prayer, Hadith 317 – Authentic)
This narration has been recorded by Imam Ahmad and other scholars of Sunan, and it has been authenticated by scholars like Imam al-Hakim.
Evidence from the Companions
Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah and Imam Abdul Razzaq reported in their compilations that Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated:"Umar saw me praying near a grave and said, 'O Anas, there is a grave here!' or, in another version, 'The grave is in front of you!' So he forbade me from praying there."
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 2/155, Book of Prayer, Hadith 7574-7575; Musannaf Abdul Razzaq 1/404, Hadith 1581)
Additionally, Imam Ibn Hibban and Imam al-Bazzar narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
"The Prophet forbade praying between graves."
(Sahih Ibn Hibban 6/88, Hadith 2315; Al-Bazzar, Kashf al-Astar 1/221, Hadith 444-443)
Understanding the Ruling
① Permissibility of Prayer Near Single or Few Graves:Some jurists allow praying in areas with one or two graves, arguing that such places are not entirely considered graveyards. However, they also contend that the primary reason for prohibition is the impurity caused by the decay of bodies in graveyards.
② The Position of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah:
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah refuted this view, as detailed in his works, Iqtidha al-Sirat al-Mustaqim (p. 332), Al-Ikhtiyarat (p. 44), and Majmu' al-Fatawa (4/521, 11/290, 17/502). He asserted that the prohibition primarily aims to prevent people from venerating graves excessively, which can lead to polytheism (shirk), whether major or minor.
Prohibition of Making Graves a Place of Worship
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explicitly prohibited turning graves into places of worship:"Beware! Do not turn graves into mosques. I forbid you from doing so."
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques and Prayer Places, Hadith 532)
This prohibition underscores the dangers of excessive reverence, which could lead to idolatry. Similarly, the Prophet (ﷺ) cursed those who venerate graves excessively:
"May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their prophets as places of worship."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 529)
Additionally, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Indeed, those before you would turn the graves of their prophets and righteous people into mosques. Beware! Do not do so."
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 532)
Key Takeaways
- Prohibition is Based on Preventing Excessive Reverence:
Praying near graves is not forbidden due to impurity but to prevent exaggeration in veneration that may lead to shirk. - Graves of Prophets are Pure:
The bodies of prophets do not decay, as mentioned in authentic narrations. However, even this purity does not justify praying near their graves due to the risk of over-glorification. - Islamic Wisdom:
The prohibition safeguards monotheism and prevents practices that might resemble idolatry.
