Islam is indeed a holistic religion that set the rules in everyday life. There is a tradition among Muslims to remember their dead relatives and families, that is visiting the grave. Visiting the graves is usually forbidden by the Prophet (peace be upon him) since the place might be turned into a place for worship.
“May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.”
But later, the Prophet no longer forbid this action since there are many benefits of visiting the grave in Islam. Here are some of those benefits for the visitor as well as the dead:
1. Reminded of Death and Afterlife
Visiting the grave could remember someone of their final destiny. In the end, they will also be laid in grave and destined for either Jannah and Hell. Also read: Importance of 40th Day After Death in Islam
“Visit the graves; for visiting them becomes the cause of remembering the next world.” (Muslim)
2. Improving the Taqwa
Remembering death makes us more humble. As we all know that someday we will be helpless inside the grave, we should spend our time to commit good deeds only. Thus, we improve our faith and taqwa to Allah SWT.
3. Refreshing the Soul Spritis
Visiting the graves, especially the graves of the saint may refreshes one soul and helps them to become more humble than ever. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Whoever visits me after I die, it is as if he visited me when I was alive.”
4. Strengthening the Relation with the Past
Other benefits gained from visiting the grave is to strengthen somebody’s relationship with his past, as well as the history and religion. And the most important thing is to remind them of death. Also read: How to Improve Faith in Islam
Benefits for the Dead
Benefits of visiting grave in Islam is not only for the visitor but also for the dead.
1. Our Prayers Will be Beneficial
Any prayers made for the dead will be highly beneficial for them. Also read: Benefits of Death in Islam
“Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith, and leave not, in our hearts, rancor (or sense of injury) against those who have believed.” (59:10)
2. The Dead Know the Visit
According to a hadith, the dead knows that they are being visited although they can answer it.
After the Battle of Badr, the dead bodies of Qurayshis were put into a well. The Messenger of Allah addressed them as follows:
“O son of this and that! Did you find that what Allah and His messenger had promised you came out true? I found that what Allah had promised me came out true.” Hz. Umar said,
“O Messenger of Allah! How do you address the dead bodies?” The Prophet said,
“You cannot hear what I say better than them. However, they cannot answer me.” (Muslim)
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3. Lighten the Torture
Our visit may lighten the torture of death. Also read: Importance Of Forgiveness In Islam
As reported from Anas (RA), the Prophet (peace be upon him)
“If a person goes to a graveyard, reads the chapter of Yasin and gives its reward to the dead as a present, Allah will relieve their torture. He also receives as many rewards as the number of the dead in that graveyard.”
4. Giving Happiness for the Dead
Recite the Yasin when visiting the grave and as for the happiness for the dead as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Yasin is the heart of the Quran. If a person reads it and asks the happiness of the afterlife from Allah, Allah will forgive him. Read the chapter of Yasin to your dead people.” (Musnad)
Manners When Visiting the Grave
While visiting the grave, there are several manners and etiquette stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated himself. Also read: How Does Praying Help in Islam
1. Not Facing the Grave While Praying
“And your Lord said: “Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation).” (40:60)
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Praying in the grave for the dead is not prohibited, but facing the grave while doing the dua is not allowed. Since dua is worship, we may do syirik by facing the grave. We’d better facing the direction of Ka’bah while making dua. The Prophet (peace be upon be him) said,
“Those who came before you used to take the graves of their Prophets and righteous people as places of worship; do not take graves as places of worship, for I forbid you to do that.” (Muslim)
2. Not Walking Between Graves in Shoes
According to this hadith below, the Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited us to walk between graves:
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Aamir (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said: ‘If I were to walk on hot coals or on a sword, or if I were to mend my shoes using my feet, that would be better for me than if I were to walk on the grave of a Muslim. And it makes no difference to me if I were to relieve myself in the midst of the graves or in the middle of the market-place [i.e., both are equally bad].’” (Ibn Majah)
3. Not Reciting Quran in Grave
Grave is not the place to recite Quran. Thus, reciting Quran in the graves is strictly prohibited. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Pray in your houses and do not make them like graves.” (Muslim)
4. Women are Forbidden
Women are forbidden from visiting grave by the Prophet (peace be upon him):
Umm Salamah (RA) said: “We were forbidden to follow the funeral procession but it was not made absolute on us.”
So there are all the benefits of visiting the grave in Islam. We must be remember not to do any act that lead us to syirik while visiting the grave.