Visiting Graves for Women in Islam: Permissible or Prohibited?

Based on the Work of Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri (حفظه الله)
Structured for Clarity and Scholarly Reference

❖ The Issue of Women Visiting Cemeteries​

There are divergent scholarly views on whether women may visit graves. However, the majority of scholars permit women to visit cemeteries. Initially, it was prohibited, but later, the prohibition was lifted, and general permission was granted.

❖ Initial Prohibition​

Narrated by Abū Hurairah رضي الله عنه:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed women who frequently visit graves."
Musnad Aḥmad (2/337, 356), Tirmidhī (1056), Ibn Mājah (1576), Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān (3178)

❖ Evidence for Abrogation of Prohibition​

According to Imām al-Ḥākim, the prohibition of grave visitation was later abrogated.
Al-Mustadrak ʿalā al-Ṣaḥīḥayn: 1385

❖ Evidence ① – From ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها​

ʿĀ’ishah visited the grave of her brother ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Abū Bakr. When asked if the Prophet ﷺ had not prohibited grave visits, she replied:
"Yes, initially he forbade it, then later permitted it."
Al-Mustadrak (1/376), al-Sunan al-Kubrā by al-Bayhaqī (3/78)

❖ Evidence ② – General Permission​

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“I had forbidden you from visiting graves. Now, visit them.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 977

❖ Evidence ③ – Reminder of Death​

“Visit graves, for they remind of death.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 976
This is a general instruction for both men and women.

❖ Evidence ④ – Instruction to ʿĀ’ishah​

ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها asked the Prophet ﷺ about what to say when visiting graves. He taught her a supplication:

"السَّلَامُ عَلٰی أَهْلِ الدِّيَارِ... وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ بِكُمْ لَلَاحِقُونَ"
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 974
This proves permission, as he would not have taught her the duʿā’ otherwise.

❖ Evidence ⑤ – The Weeping Woman​

The Prophet ﷺ passed by a woman crying at a grave and advised:
“Fear Allah and be patient.”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (1283), Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (926)

Imām al-Bukhārī placed this under:
"Chapter: Visiting Graves", implying permissibility for women.

❖ Evidence ⑥ – ʿĀ’ishah at Her Brother’s Grave​

ʿĀ’ishah visited her brother’s grave in Makkah and made duʿā’ for him.
Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah (3/360) – Chain is Ṣaḥīḥ

❖ Response to Prohibition Hadiths​

• The narration from Ḥassān ibn Thābit about cursing frequent female visitors is weak, due to tadlīs of Sufyān al-Thawrī.
• Similar narrations from Ibn ʿAbbās include Abū Ṣāliḥ Bādhām, who is weak.
  Khilāṣat al-Aḥkām (2/1044), al-Talkhīṣ al-Ḥabīr (2/137)
  

❖ The Fatimah رضي الله عنها Narration​

Reported that the Prophet ﷺ told Fāṭimah she wouldn’t see Paradise had she gone to the graveyard—this narration is rejected due to Rabīʿah ibn Sayf, deemed munkar al-ḥadīth by Imām al-Bukhārī.

❖ Fiqh of the Ḥanafīs​

• Imām al-Sarakhsī (Ḥanafī):
  "Visiting graves is permissible for both men and women."
  Al-Mabsūṭ: 10/24
• Fatāwā ʿĀlamgīriyyah:
  "There is no harm in women visiting graves."
  Fatāwā ʿĀlamgīriyyah: 5/350

❖ Summary​

✔ Visiting graves is permissible for women.
✔ The initial prohibition was for both men and women, later lifted.
✔ Women must maintain dignity and purpose—to reflect on death and the Hereafter.
✔ Mourning loudly or frequent visits are discouraged.