Visiting the Cemetery for Women
There are various opinions regarding women visiting cemeteries, but according to most scholars, it is permissible for women to visit graves. Initially, women were prohibited from going to cemeteries, but later this prohibition was lifted and permission was granted. Below are the hadiths that show the initial prohibition and then its abrogation.
Hadith of Prohibition
Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrates:
إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللّٰہِ صَلَّی اللّٰہُ عَلَیْہِ وَسَلَّمَ لَعَنَ زَوَّارَاتِ الْقُبُورِ.
Meaning, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed those women who frequently visited the cemetery.
Evidence of Abrogation
The prohibition of visiting graves was initially for everyone, but later this prohibition was lifted and both men and women were permitted. In this regard, Imam Hakim, may Allah have mercy on him, states that the hadiths prohibiting the visitation of graves have been abrogated
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Evidence Number 1:
Abdullah bin Abu Mulaika, a Tabi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, narrates that Lady Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, one day returned from the grave of her brother Abdul Rahman bin Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him. Someone asked her if the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, had not forbidden visiting graves? She replied: “Yes, it was forbidden at first, but then the visitation was commanded.”
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Evidence Number 2:
Hazrat Buraydah Aslami, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
نَہَیْتُکُمْ عَنْ زِیَارَۃِ الْقُبُورِ، فَزُورُوہَا.
Meaning, initially visiting graves was prohibited, but now you may go.
Evidence Number 3:
Narrated Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
فَزُورُ الْقُبُورَ، فَإِنَّہَا تُذَکِّرُ الْمَوْتَ.
In this hadith, a general permission is also given, because the remembrance of death is necessary for both men and women.
In light of the above evidences, it becomes clear that visiting graves is permissible for women as well.
Evidence Number 4:
Aisha رضي الله عنها asked the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم what supplication she should say when she goes to the cemetery. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم taught her this supplication:
السَّلَامُ عَلٰی أَہْلِ الدِّیَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ وَالْمُسْلِمِینَ، وَیَرْحَمُ اللّٰہُ الْمُسْتَقْدِمِینَ مِنَّا وَالْمُسْتَأْخِرِینَ، وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَائَ اللّٰہُ بِکُمْ لَلَاحِقُونَ
Meaning: “Peace be upon the inhabitants of the homes among the believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy on those who went before and those who come after, and we, God willing, will join you.”
From this hadith, it is clear that it is permissible for women to go to the cemetery, otherwise the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would not have taught this supplication to Aisha رضي الله عنها.
Evidence Number 5:
Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed by a woman who was sitting by a grave and crying. He (ﷺ) said to her:
اِتَّقِي اللّٰہَ، وَاصْبِرِي
Meaning: “Fear Allah and be patient.”
He further said:
إِنَّمَا الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ الصَّدْمَۃِ الْـأُولٰی
Meaning: “Perfect patience is at the beginning of a calamity.”
Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned this hadith under the chapter “The Chapter of Visiting Graves,” which is evidence that it is permissible for a woman to go to a cemetery. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) did not forbid this woman from coming to the cemetery but rather commanded her to be patient and fear Allah.
Evidence Number 6:
Hazrat Aisha رضي الله عنها‘s brother, Abdul Rahman bin Abu Bakr رضي الله عنهما, passed away, and his body was brought to Makkah Mukarramah. When Hazrat Aisha رضي الله عنها arrived in Makkah, she said, “Show me his grave,” and when it was shown to her, she prayed for him.
These evidences prove that it is permissible for women to go to the cemetery. Initially, both men and women were prohibited from going to the cemetery, but later permission was granted for both.
Warning 1:
It is narrated from Hazrat Hassan bin Thabit رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم cursed women who frequently visit the cemetery
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However, the chain of this narration is weak due to the tadlis (concealment) of Imam Sufyan Thawri رحمه الله.
Similarly, this narration has also been transmitted from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them).
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Its chain is also weak because it includes Abu Salih Bazam, who is a weak narrator. Hafiz Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) states that his narration cannot be used as evidence.
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Hafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) also classifies him as a weak narrator.
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Warning 2:
In a narration attributed to Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin Aas رضي الله عنهما, it is mentioned that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم asked Hazrat Fatimah رضي الله عنها why she had gone outside the house. Hazrat Fatimah رضي الله عنها replied that she had gone for condolence. The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم then asked if she had gone to the cemetery with them. Hazrat Fatimah said: “I seek refuge in Allah from going to the cemetery.” The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “If you had gone to the cemetery with them, you would not have seen Paradise.”
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Although this narration has been declared authentic by Imam Ibn Hibban and Imam Hakim, regarding its narrator Rabee’ bin Saif Ma’afari, Imam Bukhari رحمه الله and other Muhaddithin have classified it as a rejected (Munkar) narration. Therefore, this narration is considered weak and rejected.
Warning 3:
In another narration, it is reported from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that she came to the grave of her brother Hazrat Abdul Rahman bin Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both) and recited some verses, saying that if she were present, she would have buried him at the same place where he passed away
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However, the chain of this narration is weak due to the tadlees (concealment) of Ibn Jurayj.
Hanafi Fiqh and Women Visiting Graves:
Allama Sarkhasi Hanafi (may Allah have mercy on him) writes that, according to us, permission to go to the cemetery is established for both men and women
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The same position is stated in the authoritative Hanafi book of fatwas “Fatawa Alamgiri,” that there is no harm in visiting graves and this permission is also established for women
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Conclusion:
It is permissible for women to go to the cemetery; there is no objection in it. The prohibitory ahadith have been abrogated, and this prohibition was for both men and women, which was later lifted. Women should exhibit patience when going to the cemetery, and the purpose of visiting should only be the remembrance of death and the Hereafter.
