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graves as places of worship, for verily I forbid you to do so.” 274
He also said: “The most evil of mankind are those who will
be alive when the Last Day arrives and those who take graves as
places of worship.” 275
Du’aa too is a form of worship. 276 Therefore, to visit graves to
make Du’aa for oneself believing that Du’aa is more acceptable at
the graves of the righteous is also taking graves as places of
worship.
Shaikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah has explained the wisdom behind
the prohibition of taking graves as places of worship. He said:
“The Companions of the Holy Prophet knew that Allah had
exterminated the very root of polytheism by forbidding the
graves to be taken as places of worship. Similarly, Allah has
forbidden prayer at the time of sunrise, even though the observer
of the prayer might be praying with sincerity, lest they should
resemble the worshipers of the sun. The Companions never
indulged in this sinful act (of taking graves as places of
worship)” 277
As Allah’s Messenger was about to breathe his last, he drew his
sheet upon his face and when he felt uneasy, he uncovered his
face and said in this very state: “May Allah’s curse be upon the
Jews and Christians for taking the graves of their Prophets as
places of worship”. He in fact warned against what they (the
Jews and Christians) did.” 278 Aa’ishah reported: “Had it not been
274 Saheeh Muslim (Eng. trans.) vol.1, p.269, no.1083
275 Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hambal (al-Fitan wal-Ashrat as-Sa’aat – the
trials and signs of the Hour). See Ahkaamul-Janaa’iz, p.278.
276 Allah’s Messenger said: “Du’aa (supplication) is worship.”
Then he recited: ‘And your Rabb (Lord) says: ‘Call on Me, I will
answer your prayer.’” [Sunan Abu Dawood (Eng. Trans.) vol.1,
p.387, no.1474., Imaam al-Bukhare in al-Adab al-Mufrad (714), at-
Tirmidhi vol. 4, no.178 - 223), Ibn Majah vol. 2, no. 428-9), and
Musnad Ahmad vol.4, no.267-271-276-277 and others. See Saheeh
Sunan Abu Dawood vol. 1, no.1312.]
277 Shaikh ul-Islaam Ibn Taimeeyah in Kitaab al-Waseelah, p.239.
278 Saheeh al-Bukharee (Eng. Trans.) vol.1, p.255, no.427 Saheeh
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