Al-Azhar Issues Statement on Visiting Saints’ Graves, Describing It as “Noble Prophetic Tradition”

Al-Azhar Issues Statement on Visiting Saints’ Graves, Describing It as “Noble Prophetic Tradition”
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Al-Azhar’s Islamic Research authorities have issued a response addressing public inquiries regarding the permissibility of visiting the graves of religious figures and righteous individuals, including the shrine of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), describing such visits as part of a recognized Prophetic tradition.

In its response, Al-Azhar stated that visiting the graves of prophets, saints, and righteous people is a practice rooted in Islamic tradition, citing reports that Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) visited the Al-Baqi cemetery and the graves of martyrs. The institution also referred to the Prophet’s visit to his mother’s grave as evidence of the significance of remembering and honoring the deceased.

Al-Azhar further explained that supplication when visiting graves is also part of the Prophetic practice, citing the Prophet’s greeting to the people of the graves: “Peace be upon you, dwellers of the abode of believing people.” The institution noted that visiting cemeteries serves as a reminder of the afterlife and encourages spiritual reflection.

Addressing the concept of seeking “madad” (spiritual support), Al-Azhar clarified that it refers to seeking goodness through righteous individuals while ultimately recognizing that all blessings and assistance come from God. It added that such practices have been followed by scholars and righteous people throughout Islamic history and are consistent with the teachings of the prophets.

The institution called for reliance on knowledge and authentic understanding of religious matters, urging people to seek truth through scholarship rather than misinformation. It emphasized that visiting the graves of righteous figures remains part of the broader Islamic heritage and spiritual tradition.