Important Issues Pertaining to Visiting The Prophet's Grave ﷺ

Question: May Allah reward you and bestow His kindness upon you. The questioner asked: Is it prescribed to visit the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) grave regularly? Some people from our country tell us to convey their greetings to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), is this permissible? Sheikh Sulaymān Ar-Ruhaili waffaqahullah: Visiting the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) grave, without undertaking a special journey for this purpose, is indeed prescribed. When someone arrives in Madinah and prays in the Prophet’s Masjid, it is recommended for men to visit the Prophet's grave in order to offer their greetings. Upon reaching the grave, one should stand facing it with proper etiquette, not standing as one does in prayer, as this would be disrespectful. One should neither raise their voice nor engage in distracting movements, including taking photographs, as this would be a lack of manners. Instead, they should stand with reverence and offer salutations to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). If one praises him with some of his attributes without disturbing others, there is no harm. After this, one should take a wide step to the right to offer greetings to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), followed by a shorter step to the right to greet Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and then depart. It is not prescribed to stand and make supplications, neither facing the grave nor facing the qiblah. The pious predecessors disapproved of this, and Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did not practice it. Upon returning from a journey, he would visit the graves of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Abu Bakr, and Umar (may Allāh be pleased with them all). After that, he departs, without standing infront of the grave and making supplication, or conveying greetings on behalf of others or fulfilling others' requests to deliver greetings to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Even if someone asks you to convey their greetings, you are not obligated to do so, nor is it prescribed. This is for two reasons: 1. It is considered an innovation. 2. There is no need for this, as Allah has appointed angels who travel the earth and convey the greetings of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) followers to him. When any Muslim greets the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), no matter where they are, the angels immediately deliver the greeting to him. As for repeatedly visiting the grave, such as visiting on the first day you arrive, then on the fourth or fifth day, this is not permitted for two reasons: 1. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Do not make my grave a place of recurrent visits," meaning do not make it a habit to return to it repeatedly, as if it were a regular festival. 2. This practice has not been reported from the pious predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them). Regarding women, the more correct view among scholars is that it is not prescribed for them to visit graves. However, if a woman comes to pray in the Rawdhah (the area between the Prophet’s grave and his pulpit), she may offer her greetings to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) while at his grave.