Grading the Narrations of Visiting the Blessed Tomb of the Prophet ﷺ

By Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Question #1:

 Are the following which are quoted to be hadith really hadith?

1. One who visits me after my death is as if he visited me during my life. 

2. One who visits my grave my intercession for him is certainly due.

A saudi scholar has mentioned in his umrah kitaab under the section of ziyarat that, although quoted to be Hadiths they are not Hadiths.

Answer #1:

Both these Hadiths are suitable to quote.

The following is an excerpt from the book: Al-Maqasid al-Hasanah of the famous Muhaddith (Hadith Master) ‘Allamah Shamsuddīn Sakhāwi رحمه الله (d. 906 AH):

“The Hadith: ‘My intercession is incumbent for he who visits my grave,‘ is recorded by Imams: Abu al-Shaykh, Ibn Abi al-Dunya and others on the authority of Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما.  It also appears in the Sahih of Imam Ibn Khuzaymah who has also pointed its weakness.

Abu al-Shaykh, Tabarāni, Dāraqutni, Bayhaqi and others have reported this with the words, ‘He who visits my grave is like one who visited me in my lifetime.‘

Bayhaqi has said it to be weak.

‘Allamah Dhahabi رحمه الله  said: All the chains for this narration are slightly weak, but are strengthened by each other since none of the chains have any narrator that is suspected of lying.

He (Dhahabi) also said: The version that has the best chain is the one reported by Sayyiduna Hatib رضي الله عنه :

‘Who visits me after my demise is like one that has visited me in my lifetime.’

Recorded by Ibn ‘Asakir and others.”

(end of quote from Al-Maqasid al-Hasanah, hadith: 1125)

Also see Manahil al-Safa of ‘Allamah Suyūti رحمه الله , hadith; 1115.

‘Allamah Taqiuddīn Subki رحمه الله has also approved these Hadiths in his book: Shifa al-Siqam.

Hafiz Ibn Nasiruddīn al-Dimashqi رحمه الله  has also written extensively on this and has approved several Hadiths on this topic in his monumental book: Jami’ al-Āthār, vol.8 pgs. 129-141. He then writes at the end of the discussion:

“Visiting the grave of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم is a sunnat of the Muslims, it is unanimously accepted as an act of reward and it is an act of virtue that is encouraged. The Hadiths on this topic have been accepted and practised upon, even though a few of these Hadiths have weakness. Only a deviate will reject them totally.”  (Jami’ al-Āthār, vol.8 pg.141)

Cautionary note: One should avoid reading books of scholars like the ones mentioned in your question. Reading their books causes a lot of confusion.

 And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Question #2:

Are the following Hadiths reliable?

1. One who preforms haj and does not visit me, wrongs me.

2. One who visits me and my ancestor Ibrahim within a year I guarantee for him Jannah.

Answer #2:

Both these Hadiths are unauthentic and should not be quoted.

(Al-Maqasid al-Hasanah, hadith: 1178 & 1126)

There are other suitable Hadiths on this subject which should be quoted & followed instead.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Courtesy of Hadith Answers