Is It Allowed to Touch or Kiss the Grave of the Prophet or Righteous?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

I have read that Imam Ahmad saw no harm in kissing and touching the grave of the Prophet (may Allah ). Imam Ahmad even asked for blessings by touching the pulpit and the Prophet’s room, saying he saw nothing wrong in it.

However, I have heard from others that this is a Bid’a.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate

I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.

The adab of visiting graves is explained in a number of SeekersGuidance Answers. (See below.)

The General Principle: Uphold Sunna and Adab

In general, one would act with the adab and restraint with the dead as one would with the living.

Thus, it isn’t in itself proper manners to kiss or rub the grave. Believing such acts to be sunna or specifically recommended in the religion would make this belief an innovation. [Zurqani, Sharh al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyya; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Bajuri, Hashiyat Sharh Ibn Qasim; others]

Kissing or Touching Out of Love

However, someone simply kissing or touching the grave if overcome by love is excused.

This is how we understand the actions of many of the Companions (such as the esteemed Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with him)) and Early Muslims who are soundly related to have done so. This is what Imam Ahmad and others saw no harm in. [Dhahabi, Siyar; other]

To be clear: “One avoids the practices not established in the sunna,” [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

See:
Forgotten Sunnas: Visiting Graves
The Ruling on Women Visiting Graves and Etiquettes of Visiting
Zanbal – Visiting the Graves of the Righteous

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani