Fatwa #1201029 June 2004Zimbabwe
I would like to know what is the shariah ruling regarding women going to the cemetary. If possible, please give references from quran and hadith.
Answer
Hadhrat ibn Mas?ood (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) narrates that Rasulullah ? said, ?I used to stop you from visiting graves, (now) visit the graves for it creates abstention (in love) for the world and reminds of the hereafter. (Mishkaat p. 154 - Qadeemi)%0D%0A%0D%0AFrom the above Ahaadith, it is clear that visiting graves was prohibited for all (men and women), and thereafter the prohibition was abrogated. Therefore, it is Mustahabb for males to visit graves. With regard to females, see the following Ahaadith:%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Abu Huryara (Radhiallaahu %C1nhu) narrates that Rasulullah (?) cursed women who visit the graveyards. (Mishkaat p. 154 - Qadeemi)%0D%0A%0D%0AHadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallaahu %C1nha) said to Rasulullah ? ?Oh Prophet of Allah what should I say when visiting the graves?, Rasulullah ? said, 'Assalaamu Alaa ahlud diyaar minal mu'mineena wal muslimeena wayarhamu Allaahu al-mustaqdimeena minnaa wal must'akhireena, wa innaa inshaa'a Allaahu bikum lalaahiqoona%0D%0A%0D%0AWhile Rasulullah ? taught Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallaahu %C1nha) the Du?a when visiting the graves, he also cursed females from doing so.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe reason for prohibiting females from visiting graves is due to our corrupted environment wherein women (ly) who do not adhere to the laws of Hijaab and hence strange men are attracted towards them. Therefore, it is not permissible for young females to visit the graveyard.%0D%0A%0D%0AHowever, if the laws of the Shariah (Hijaab, intermingling, crying, etc.) are not violated then the prohibition may be set aside. Since generally the women visiting the graves are not free from the above aspects, they should refrain from doing so.%0D%0A%0D%0AIf a female visits the grave to remember death and soften without crying ? there is nothing wrong if they are old. It is Makrooh (not permissible) if they are young (Shaami vol. 1 p. 665 - Maajidiyya)%0D%0A%0D%0Aand Allah Ta'ala Knows Best%0D%0A%0D%0AMufti Ebrahim Desai