72- Ruling on making `Itikaf and Holding Circles of Dhikr by the Graves
Q: Brother A. Y. asks: "People from different areas come to visit a grave near our town They not only stand by the grave but they also stay there for a period of time, no less than one week, and hold circles of Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah). How can we guide such people? What is your advice to them? May Allah reward you with the best."
A: The acts of these people are Bid`ah (heresy in religion). It is a means to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). It is a duty to tell them that doing so is impermissible in Islam. It is only permissible for them to visit the graves to greet their dwellers and make Dua`a' (supplication) for them, then they are to leave. Any other act is not permissible. For instance, it is not allowed that people stay by the graves to hold knowledge circles, recite the Holy Qur`an, or to stay for a day or two or for more or less, to make Dua`a 1. This practice does not conform to the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Again, Muslims are only allowed to visit graves to greet their people and make Dua`a' for them. They then should leave the graveyard. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to instruct his Sahabah (Companions) to say upon visiting the graves: Peace be upon you believing men and women, the inhabitants of this dwelling. We shall, In sha'a-Allah (if Allah wills), soon join you. We ask Allah to grant both us and you safety. May Allah be merciful with those who have preceded us and those who are to follow.} This was the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) regarding the etiquettes of visiting the graves. He used to visit the graveyard, greet its dwellers, make Dua`a' for them, then leave the place. There is no proof that suggests the legality of staying by the graves for a week or two, or for a day or two, to offer Salah (Prayer), make Dua`a, recite the Holy Qur`an, or give Sadaqah (voluntary charity). This practice is a means to Shirk and exceeding proper limits. Moreover, invoking the deceased or seeking their help is major Shirk in the sight of Allah (Glorified be He) as He says: And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allah, any other ilah (god), of whom he has no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kafirun (the disbelievers in Allah and in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be successful. And, And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date-stone). If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call; and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them.) The above Ayahs (Qur`anic verses) signify the impermissibility of calling upon the deceased, idols, stones, stars, angels, or any other thing. Allah Alone (Glorified and Exalted be He) is the One to be invoked. He (Exalted be He) says: And the mosques are for Allah (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allah. Believing men and women should do their best to invoke and implore their Lord. They must not invoke any thing other than Allah whether an angel, a Prophet, a tree, a stone, Jinn (creatures created from fire), a star, or any thing else. This is because "Ibadah (worship) is the pure right of Allah (Exalted be He). On the other hand, it is permissible that a person asks another who is alive and present to help him with ordinary things in life, such as repairing his car, watering his palm-trees, fetching him something, and so on. A person may request such help via direct conversation, writing, talking on the phone, and so on. Allah (Glorified be He) says regarding the story of Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him): The man of his (own) party asked him for help against his foe Asking alive human beings for help regarding things within their ability is thus different from invoking the deceased, the absent, Jinn, angels, trees, or stones, which is considered a form of major Shirk.
[Vol. 2, Page No. 220-221]
