Authored by: Shaykh Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Al-Jibreen (may Allah protect him)
However, this permission excluded women, as both a prohibition and a warning were issued regarding women visiting graveyards. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"May Allah curse women who visit graves."
(Musnad Ahmad, 1:229, Hadith 2020; Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Prayer, Chapter on Making Graves Mosques, Hadith 320)
When something is associated with a curse in Islamic teachings, it indicates that the act is prohibited. Furthermore, several narrations confirm that the permission to visit graves was specifically for men. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"I had prohibited you from visiting graves, but now you may visit them."
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Funerals, Chapter on Visiting Graves, Hadith 3235; Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals, Chapter 36, Hadith 977)
Other authentic narrations also indicate that women who visit graves are cursed. These hadiths have been authentically transmitted from companions such as Ibn Abbas and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them).
"Indeed, you (women) are a source of temptation for the living and a cause of harm to the dead."
(Sharh al-Sudur by Suyuti, p. 399; Tarikh Baghdad by Al-Khatib, 2:201)
On one occasion, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw women heading towards a graveyard and said:
"Return with sins and without any reward."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Funerals, Chapter on Women Following Funerals, Hadith 1578)
Although this narration was deemed weak by Shaykh Al-Albani, it reflects the general prohibition.
Furthermore, it is recorded that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his beloved daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her):
"Perhaps you went with them to Al-Kada (the edge of Baqi’ cemetery)?"
She replied, "I seek refuge with Allah! I heard you prohibit women from going there." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said:
"If you had gone there, you would not have entered Paradise—or even seen it—until your father’s grandfather had seen it."
(Musnad Ahmad, 2:169, Hadith 6574; Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Funerals, Chapter on Consolation, Hadith 3123; Sunan An-Nasa’i, Book of Funerals, Chapter on Announcements, Hadith 1879)
If such a stern warning applies to Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), who was the most virtuous of women, then what about others?
And Allah knows best!
Question:
What is the ruling on women visiting the sacred tomb of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)?Answer:
Initially, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited visiting graves, as people were new to Islam, and there was a fear of falling into excess, innovation, or idolizing the dead. This prohibition also addressed the practices of wailing or mourning in a manner reminiscent of pre-Islamic ignorance. However, once Islam became firmly established in people's hearts, the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted grave visits for the benefit of remembering the Hereafter and praying for the deceased.However, this permission excluded women, as both a prohibition and a warning were issued regarding women visiting graveyards. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"May Allah curse women who visit graves."
(Musnad Ahmad, 1:229, Hadith 2020; Sunan At-Tirmidhi, Book of Prayer, Chapter on Making Graves Mosques, Hadith 320)
When something is associated with a curse in Islamic teachings, it indicates that the act is prohibited. Furthermore, several narrations confirm that the permission to visit graves was specifically for men. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"I had prohibited you from visiting graves, but now you may visit them."
(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Funerals, Chapter on Visiting Graves, Hadith 3235; Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals, Chapter 36, Hadith 977)
Other authentic narrations also indicate that women who visit graves are cursed. These hadiths have been authentically transmitted from companions such as Ibn Abbas and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them).
Reason for the Prohibition
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained the reasoning behind this prohibition, saying:"Indeed, you (women) are a source of temptation for the living and a cause of harm to the dead."
(Sharh al-Sudur by Suyuti, p. 399; Tarikh Baghdad by Al-Khatib, 2:201)
On one occasion, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw women heading towards a graveyard and said:
"Return with sins and without any reward."
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Funerals, Chapter on Women Following Funerals, Hadith 1578)
Although this narration was deemed weak by Shaykh Al-Albani, it reflects the general prohibition.
Furthermore, it is recorded that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his beloved daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her):
"Perhaps you went with them to Al-Kada (the edge of Baqi’ cemetery)?"
She replied, "I seek refuge with Allah! I heard you prohibit women from going there." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said:
"If you had gone there, you would not have entered Paradise—or even seen it—until your father’s grandfather had seen it."
(Musnad Ahmad, 2:169, Hadith 6574; Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Funerals, Chapter on Consolation, Hadith 3123; Sunan An-Nasa’i, Book of Funerals, Chapter on Announcements, Hadith 1879)
If such a stern warning applies to Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), who was the most virtuous of women, then what about others?
Visiting the Prophet’s Tomb
The Prophet’s tomb, as well as the graves of his companions Abu Bakr and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), are considered ordinary graves in terms of rulings. Thus, it is not permissible for women to stand by them. Women should suffice with praying in Masjid Nabawi and sending salutations upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during their prayers. This ensures that they avoid falling under the curse or warning mentioned in the hadiths.And Allah knows best!