Ruling on Travelling for the Purpose of Visiting Graves and the Hadith: “Lā Tushaddu ar-Riḥāl”
📚 Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil – Matters of Funerals, Volume 1, Page 267
❖ Question:
Respected Ḥāfiẓ Ṣāḥib, the ḥadīth you mentioned regarding the visitation of graves is indeed respectable for us. You stated that both men and women are included in this permission — I have read this. I also studied the book “Al-Wasīlah” by Imām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله, in which I came across a ḥadīth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stating that travel is to be undertaken only for the visitation of three places: Bayt al-Maqdis, Baytullāh, and al-Masjid al-Nabawī.
So how can it be permissible to travel with the intention of visiting anything else? If one undertakes a journey to visit a grave, then clearly that would also be a journey with a specific intention. Kindly clarify this matter in detail. Your explanation would be appreciated.
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The ḥadīth you referred to from the book “Al-Wasīlah” by Imām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله has also been cited by this humble writer in his letter. You may refer to the letter for confirmation.
The excerpt states:
“This permission includes both men and women, but the condition is that Shadd ar-Riḥāl (i.e., undertaking a journey) should not be done solely for the purpose of visiting graves, and women should not visit frequently, because the ḥadīth says:
«لاَ تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلاَّ إِلٰی ثَلاَثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ»”
Here, Shadd ar-Riḥāl means “to travel.” Therefore, the intended meaning of my writing is:
“The condition is that one must not travel solely for the purpose of visiting graves.”
✿ Clarification:
① Visiting graves is permissible for both men and women.
② However, it is conditional that one must not set out on a journey solely with the intention of visiting graves.
③ This is because the Prophet ﷺ said:
«لاَ تُشَدُّ الرِّحَالُ إِلاَّ إِلٰی ثَلاَثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ»
(Travel should not be undertaken except to three mosques: al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, al-Masjid al-Nabawī, and al-Masjid al-Aqṣā.)
❖ Conclusion:
The summary of your question is as follows:
✔ Visiting graves is permissible,
✔ But travelling with a specific intention for it is not religiously valid.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
This is what I understand, and Allah knows best what is correct.
