Can Women Visit Graves According to Shafi‘i School?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Is it permissible for women to visit graves, and how do scholars interpret the hadith that appears to prohibit it?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Visiting graves is an established Sunna for men, as it softens the heart, reminds one of the Hereafter, and offers a moment of reflection on the fleeting nature of worldly life. Regarding women, the official view in the School is that it is makruh (disliked) for women to visit the graves, but not unlawful.

If they visit the graves, they should do so with patience and caution so as not to wail and misbehave. If she can manage this, there is a reported opinion that it is permitted. Also, women should not intermingle with men when visiting the graves. [Nawawi, Majmu‘]

Hadith on Prohibition

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Allah has cursed the women who frequently visit graves.” [Tirmidhi; Abu Dawud, and others]

This hadith, when taken at face value, appears to prohibit women from visiting graves. However, scholars have differed in interpreting it.

Imam Nawawi (Allah be pleased with him), the renowned Shafi‘i Scholar, reconciled the hadiths on this subject by stating:

“The correct opinion is that it is not unlawful for women to visit graves. Rather, it is disliked (makruh) for young women because they might not be able to control their emotions, and because of the fear of temptation and the like. As for older women, it is not disliked.” [Nawawi, Sharh al-Muhadhdhab]

The condition attached to this permissibility is that a woman maintain proper decorum—observing hijab, avoiding excessive lamenting, and ensuring that the visit does not lead to prohibited actions. This is consistent with the foundational Islamic principle of weighing the benefits and harms of an action.

Moreover, many scholars understand that prohibition applies specifically to frequent visits, not occasional ones. The Arabic text of the hadith uses the word zawwarat, an exaggerated form implying frequent visitation. Imam Nawawi and others explained that this wording points to repetition and excess, not to an absolute prohibition.

According to “al-Majmu‘” by Imam Nawawi, the scholars differed over women visiting graves. The strongest view is that it is permitted for them—like for men—because of the general meaning of the hadiths encouraging grave visitation, and because the reason applies equally to women. [Nawawi, al-Majmu‘]

Proof of Permissibility

What proves that it is not forbidden for women to visit the graves is the hadīth of Anas ibn Malik (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) came upon a woman and she was weeping at the grave, and he said to her,

“Be aware of Allah and be patient!” [Bukhari; Muslim]

This report proves that he did not forbid continuing to visit the grave. Also, what is reported by ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her), who asked the Prophet,

“What do I say when I visit the graves?” Whereupon he instructed her to send salams upon the inhabitants. [Muslim]

The Shafi‘i School, therefore, holds that it is permissible for women to visit graves as long as they avoid excessiveness and maintain proper Islamic etiquette.

May Allah (Most High) grant us beneficial knowledge, sincere action, and a heart ever-conscious of the Hereafter.

And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.