Assalamu Alaykum
Question: Are women allowed to go to the cemetery?
Bismillah
Al-Jawab Wa Billahi at-Tawfeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)
The opinion of some jurists is that it is not permissible (at all) for women to visit the cemetery, since the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has cursed those women who visit the cemetery. As for the narration:
Prophet (SAW) said, ‘I used to prohibit you from visiting the graveyard, but now you can visit it. (Musnad ahmad).
These scholars state that the address is given only to men, not women.
Another opinion of some jurists (which is generally accepted and practised upon) is that, if by visiting the cemetery, women begin to cry, weep, wail and become uncontrollable, then it is Haram for them to go to the cemetery, and it is on account of this behaviour, the Prophet (SAW) cursed such women as mentioned in the above tradition. However, if the purpose of going to the cemetery is to take a lesson, and remember death and the hereafter, (and there is no possibility of crying and wailing), then it will be allowed for the older (50+) women, wearing their proper garb, to visit the cemetery, and not the young women.
As mentioned by these scholars, the allowance for these women to visit the cemetery is based on the narration which states that Aisha (RA) used to visit the graves of the Prophet(SA), Abu Bakr and Umar (RA). (Hashiya Jamiul Masaaneed wa As Sunan). (Kitabul Fatawa vol.3 pg.228; Marghoobul Fatawa vol.3pg.317,317).
However, due to the fact that women are soft by nature, if they go to the graveyard at a time that is close to the burial, then it is feared that they may cry loudly, and may become emotional, since the death of the person may still be fresh in their minds. Hence, it is best for them to allow a few days to past, when they have settled down.
See also:
1) All scholars have no dispute about the point that it is prohibited for Muslim females (including pregnant women) to frequently visit the cemetery. This is due to the authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) who said : ” May Allah curse the women who are frequently visiting the cemetery ” (Authentic, Tirmidhi).
* If an old female (50+) visits the grave to remember death and soften without crying there is no harm. However, It is Makrooh for young women to do so.
(Shaami vol. 1 p. 665 – Maajidiyya)
Imam Bukhari has recorded a Hadith of Sayyidatuna Umm Atiyya (Radhiallaahu Anha) that she said, ‘We were prohibited from following the Janazah, i.e. until the graveyard.’ (Bukhari Hadith No.1278; See Fathul Baari vol.3 pg.187)
Imam Tirmidhi (RA) has recorded a Hadith of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (Radhi’allahu Anhu) that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has mentioned,
‘May Allah Ta’ala curse women who visits the graves.’ Imam Tirmidhi has graded this Hadith as Sahih – authentic (Sunan Tirmidhi vol.1 pg.203)
“Allàh curses the women who visit the graves” (la‘ana Allàhu zà’iràt al-qubur)
Narrated from Abu Hurayra by Ibn Hibbàn in his Sahïh (7:452 #3178)
“Allàh curses the women who visit the graves and take them for places of worship and candles,”
Narrated from Ibn ‘Abbàs by al-Tirmidhï ( hasan), Abu Dàwud, al-Nasà’ï in both in al-Sunan and al-Sunan al-Kubrà (1:657 #2174), Ahmad
“Allàh curses the women who frequently visit the graves”
(la‘ana Allàhu zawwàràt al-qubur).
Narrated from Abu Hurayra by al-Tirmidhï ( hasan sahïh ), Ibn Màjah, and Ahmad.
The author and jurist Abu Is-haq Ash-Shirāzī stated,
“It is not permitted for women to visit the graves due to what is reported from Abu Hurayrah (radhiya Allahu ‘Anhu) from the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that he stated, “The curse of Allah is upon women who visit the graves.” Tirmidhi
Allah knows best.
Approved by Mufti Ibrahim Raja Saheb (Hafidhahullah).
Ismail Ibn Nazir Satia (One who is in dire need of Allah’s Forgiveness, Mercy and Pleasure).
1 Safar 1437
