QA-ID-0024
QUESTION
When going to the graveyard to go see the deceased and give fatiha, what is the advisable manner/intentions etc one should go with? What should they do and and what should they pray in particular? Also, what shouldn’t they do which is disliked?
ANSWER
﷽
When visiting the graveyard, one should do so with the intention of following the Sunnah, contemplating death, and seeking forgiveness for the deceased.
Upon entering the graveyard, one should recite the du’ā mentioned in the hadīth:
«السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا أَهْلَ الْقُبُورِ يَغْفِرُ اللهُ لَنَا وَلَكُمْ أَنْتُمْ سَلَفُنَا وَنَحْنُ بِالْأَثَرِ»
When approaching the grave of an individual, start from the feet side before proceeding to the face. Recite a passage from the Qur’ān that you find easy and then send the reward to the deceased. For example, you can recite surah al-Fātiha, Yasīn, al-Mulk, al-Ikhlās (see Sharh al-Sudūr). Thereafter, pray for the forgiveness of the deceased.
Avoid kissing or circumambulating the grave, as well as refraining from screaming or wailing at the graveyard. Do not stand or sit on graves.
والله تعالى أعلم
And Allāh Knows Best
Muhammad Kalim Misbahi
