Thursday | 28 March 2024 | 17 Ramadhan 1445

Fatwa Answer

Question ID: 740 Category: Knowledge
Visiting graveyard on Eid day

Assalamu'alaykum 

Question:

Visiting graveyard on Eid day

Assalamu'alaykum 

It has become habit for people to visit the graveyard on Eid day to the extent that the undeniable perception created is that it is Sunnah. The question is: is it Sunnah?

If it is not Sunnah, and it is subconsciously regarded as such, due to society's perception of it being necessary, would this visitation on Eid day not constitute bid'ah? 

Many people do ask their relatives on Eid day: "did you go to the graveyard?" This is an indication that people consider it necessary to do so on Eid day.

They justify this with the rationale that we don't think it's Sunnah, but we habitually go on Eid day to remember the deceased on our happy occasion. This appears to be a contradictory argument in that a habitual practice is regarded as Sunnah.

My understanding is that if something is not Sunnah and is afforded that status due to public perception or considering it necessary, it will constitute bid'ah. Is this correct?

There are the following added complications that should be considered when answering this question please.

(A) Young women do attend the graveyard on Eid day, mostly not in niqab and intermingling with men.

(B) The traffic congestion that Muslims cause on Eid day as they all try to attend the graveyard inconveniences the non Muslims. The childish response to this is that when non Muslims have their events they inconvenience us (which seems to imply Muslims are permitted to behave likewise)

In light of all of the above, please advise if visiting the graveyard on Eid day is Sunnah, Mustahab, bid'ah or impermissible

 

الجواب وبالله التوفيق

  • If an action which is not a sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallaho Alyhi Wasallam is being performed with the intention that it is a sunnah then such an action will be considered as bid‘at.  
  • When a habit is performed as ibadah with an intention that it is a sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallaho Alyhi Wasallam, it is the actual definition of bid‘at.
  • It is impermissible for women to visit graveyard, it will be considered sinful for them to do so.
  • The issue with traffic happens throughout the year and should not be a factor in stopping people from going to the graveyard.
  • Considering going to graveyard as a sunnah specifically on the day of Eid is a bid‘at. However, there is no harm in going to the graveyard on the day of Eid if someone does it without considering it as a sunnah and without considering others sinful for not doing so.

واللہ اعلم بالصواب