Visiting Shrines of Ahl-ul-Bayt An Act of Worship that Reminds One of Hereafter

IQNA – An Egyptian Islamic preacher emphasized the importance of Muslims paying attention to religious customs and traditions during pilgrimage, saying that visiting the shrines of the Prophet’s (PBUH) family is an act of worship that reminds Muslims of the hereafter and requires politeness and moderation.

Speaking in the program ‘With Al-Nas’ broadcast on Al-Nas TV channel, Sheikh Mustafa Thabit cited the words of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who said: “Visit the graves, for they remind you of the hereafter”, and said paying visits to graves and shrines is among religious traditions.

He explained that the purpose of visiting the graves is for a person to remember death and the hereafter, and that no matter how long living in this world lasts, the final destination of every human being is the grave.

Therefore, he stated, one should reflect on the conditions of the righteous and good people and on one’s own destiny, because in this way one increases his or her closeness to God Almighty and prepares for the Day of Judgment.

Stressing that the important manners of visiting graves include calmness and dignity, the Egyptian preacher continued: Raising one’s voice or making noise should be avoided, because visiting graves is a time for humility and reflection.

He also said when a Muslim visits the shrines of the Prophet’s (PBUH) household (AS), he should show respect, as if he were in the presence of one of the living members of the Prophet’s (PBUH) household.

“He should sit with respect, dignity and attention, and his visit should be without mental preoccupation in order to achieve the spiritual benefit and blessing desired from the visit.”

Sheikh Thabit called for avoiding accusing Muslims of Bid’ah (heresy, innovation), saying that praying at graves is permissible if it is only for God, and it is a reminder of the Hereafter and a revival of the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).

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