QUESTION:
What do the scholars and muftis of the noble Shari’ah say regarding the following matter; what is the ruling regarding women visiting graveyards or tombs of the awliya’ (Friends of Allah ﷻ)?
Questioner: Abdullah from Birmingham, UK
ANSWER:
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب
It is not allowed for a woman to visit graveyards or tombs of the awliya’.
Sadr al-Shari’ah Mufti Amjad ‘Ali al-A’zami (may Allah have mercy upon him) states: “Certain scholars have stated that it is permissible for women to visit graves. Preference has been given to this opinion in al-Durr al-Mukhtar. However, if they visit the graves of their dear ones, they will show impatience and apprehension. Therefore, it is not allowed. There is no problem in old women visiting the tombs of the pious to seek blessings. However, it is not allowed for young women. The safest way is that women are not allowed (to visit graves) at all. Because they will show impatience and apprehension while visiting the graves of their dear ones and cross limits in veneration or be disrespectful while visiting the tombs of the pious ones. Such behaviours are rampant among women.” [Bahar-e Shari’at, vol. 4, pg. 198]
Answering a query, Imam Ahmad Rida Khan (may Allah have mercy upon him) states: “It is mentioned in Ghunyah: ‘Do not ask if it is permissible for women to visit graves or not. You should ask how many curses descend upon her (who visits graves) from Allah ﷻ and from the one who is in the grave. When she leaves her house intending to visit a grave, curses start descending upon her and the angels keep cursing her until she returns home.’ [Ghunyat al-Mutamalli, pg. 594]
Women are not allowed to visit any tomb except the Illuminated Tomb of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Visiting it is a mighty sunnah which is almost wajib (compulsory). There is no such emphasis regarding other graves or tombs and there are chances of the occurrence of tribulation in visiting them. If women are visiting the graves of their dear ones, they will show impatience and if they are visiting the graves of the awliya’, it is feared that they might show disrespect, or they might—out of ignorance—exceed bounds in veneration. This is known and observed. Therefore, the safest way is that they avoid visiting graves.” [Malfuzat-e A’la Hadrat, pg. 315]
واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم
کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری
Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadri
Translated by the SeekersPath Team
Read the original answer in Urdu here – [Q-ID0447] What is the ruling on women visiting graveyards and shrines of the pious?
Also see:
[Q-ID0531] What is the method of visiting a shrine of a pious saint and a graveyard?
[Q-ID0598] Can women visit graveyards or shrines of the pious with male mahrams?
[Q-ID0647] Is it permissible to place artificial flowers on a grave?
[Q-ID0847] Is it permissible to visit the graveyard between ‘Asr and Maghrib?