Visiting grave of Christian parents: ..

 

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assaalam-Aleikum,

Brother Burhan.

l have a question to ask hope you will be able to answer and please give the authentic of it.

My parents are christians and they are dead long time, l converted in lslam also long time, l dont know if lwas doing the wright thing by putting flowers on their graves especially on 1st November of every year as it is All Souls Day in christian belief, also l go n clean their graves before 1st November.

Would appreciate your reply as soon as time permits.

Jakaallah.

Sister in lslam.

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Answer:

Visiting grave of  Christian parents

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Abu Hurairah reported: "The Prophet (saws) visited his mother's grave and wept, and everyone there wept with him (saws). Then the Prophet (saws) said: 'I sought my Lord's permission to seek forgiveness for her, but He did not permit me. I then sought permission to visit her grave and He permitted me to visit her grave.’

Related by Muslim, Ahmad, and Abu Dawud.

There is absolutely no harm if a believer intends to visit the graves of their deceased disbelieving parents or loved ones, but because they happened to die in a state of disbelief, it would not be permissible for them to seek forgiveness for them from Allah Subhanah.

Commemorating a pagan festival like 'All Souls Day' or placing flowers on the grave is from amongst the rites and rituals of the pagans and the disbelievers, and it simply does not befit a believer to commemorate the festivals or honor the rites and rituals of the disbelievers, if indeed they sincerely believe in Allah and the Last Day.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

 

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