Visiting Women’s Graves: Hadith Verification and Explanation of Nasikh & Mansukh
Taken from: Fatawa ‘Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1 — Principles, Documentation, and Verification of Narrations — Page: 624
❖ Question
Some Hadith allow certain actions, while others forbid the same action. The question is to clarify which Hadith is Nasikh (abrogating) and which is Mansukh (abrogated), especially regarding the following three narrations about women visiting graves.
❀ Hadith 1: Cursing Women Who Frequently Visit Graves
Text:
“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم cursed women who visit graves… etc.”
Sources:
- Musnad al-Tayalisi (1/17, Hadith 2733)
- Sunan Ibn Majah (Hadith 1575)
- Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Hadith 1056)
- Al-Tamhid by Ibn Abd al-Barr (2/235)
- Narrated by Abu Huraira and Hassan bin Thabit.
- Verified by:
- Abu Huraira: considered authentic by Tirmidhi and Ibn Hibban.
- Hassan bin Thabit: authenticated by Al-Busiri.
- Al-Albani: “This Hadith is preserved with these exact words.” (Ahkam al-Janazah, p. 186)
Meaning: The curse applies to women who excessively visit graves, potentially beyond immediate family, which may lead to fitnah or excessive emotion.
❀ Hadith 2: Lady Aisha’s Visit to Graves
Narration:
- Narrated from Abdullah ibn Abi Malika:
- Lady Aisha رضی اللہ عنہا returned from a graveyard, visiting her brother Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Bakr’s grave.
- When asked, she said: “Initially, visitation was prohibited, but later it was allowed.”
Sources:
- Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim (1/376)
- Al-Tamhid by Ibn Abd al-Barr (2/223)
Meaning: Visiting close relatives’ graves is permitted.
❀ Hadith 3: Prayer Taught by the Prophet ﷺ for Visiting Graves
Narration:
- Lady Aisha رضی اللہ عنہا asked the Prophet ﷺ what to recite in the graveyard.
- He taught:
“Peace be upon the inhabitants of the dwellings…”
Sources:
- Sahih Muslim (7/44)
- Sunan al-Nasa’i (2/92-93)
Meaning: Prophet ﷺ encouraged women to visit graves properly and even taught a supplication, indicating permissibility.
❖ Scholarly Explanation and Reconciliation
- About Hadith 1:
- The term “Zoowarat” (those who visit excessively) indicates exaggeration.
- Curse applies to frequent, unnecessary visitation, not obligatory or modest family visits.
- About Hadith 2 & 3:
- Permission exists for women to visit graves of immediate relatives while observing proper hijab and etiquette.
- Lady Aisha herself indicated that initial prohibition was lifted.
- Hadith 3 demonstrates the Prophet ﷺ provided a supplication, showing practical permissibility.
Conclusion:
- These three Hadiths do not contradict each other.
- First Hadith targets excessive and unnecessary visitation.
- Second and Third Hadiths allow visitation of close relatives’ graves.
- Therefore, these Hadiths are not Nasikh or Mansukh, but rather complementary (Tatbiq), showing context-based guidance.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I have in knowledge, and Allah alone knows the correct view.)
