Question

Is there any Hadith prohibiting women visiting the graveyard? If yes, could it please be sourced?

Answer

Among the Hadiths on this topic is the following:

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reported that:

“Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) cursed those women who visit the graves.”

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 3228, Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 320, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 3179 and Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 7631 and 11936)

This Hadith is classified as sound (hasan) by Imam Tirmidhi, and authentic (sahih) by Imam Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah).

Similar Hadiths have been reported by other Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) as well.

Despite the fact that some Hadiths apparently endorse women going to the graveyard, the Fuqaha (Jurists) as well the Hadith Masters, have still ruled it makruh for them to visit the graveyard.

The ‘Ulama have written that the above prohibition applies in times of mischief and trials (fitnah and fasad) -like our era- and also to those women who engage in mourning/wailing at the gravesides. In such cases it is makruh (disliked) for women to attend the graveyard.

(Faydul Qadir, Hadith: 7276)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar