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"It is one of the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim that he should visit his grave."Imam Ja'fer As-Sadiq (A.S.)  

Merits of Visiting the Tombs of Faithful Believers

The trustworthy and sublime Shaykh Ja`far ibn Qawlawayh al-Qumm� reports `Amr ibn `Uthm�n al-R�z� as saying that he heard Imam Abu�l-�asan M�s� ibn Ja`far, peace be upon him, saying, �Whoever is unable to visit us, may visit the righteous adherents of us. If he does so, he will be endued with the reward of visiting us. Likewise, whoever is unable to connect us, may connect the righteous adherents of us. If he does so, he will also be endued with the reward of connecting us.�

Through an authentic chain of authority, Mu�ammad ibn A�mad ibn Ya�y� al-Ash`ar� is reported to have said, �I was in Fayd (a station on the way of Makkah) when I accompanied `Al� ibn Bil�l in visiting the grave of Mu�ammad ibn Ism�`�l ibn Buzaygh. `Al� related to me, saying: The one buried in this grave told me that Imam al-Ri�� (`a) said, �Whoever comes to the graves of his brother-in-faith and puts his hand on the grave ,directs his face towards the kiblah and recites S�rah al-Qadr (No. 97) seven times, will be secured on the Great Horror Day.�

From the apparent point of this tradition, we may understand that security on the Resurrection Day will be for the one who recites that S�rah (i.e. the visitor of the grave) although it is probable that the one intended may be the visited one. This meaning is supported by a coming report of Sayyid Ibn ��w�s:

In the book of K�mil al-Ziy�rah, it is reported through a valid chain of authority that `Abd al-Ra�m�n ibn Ab�-`Abdull�h asked Imam al-��diq (`a) to teach him how to put his hands of the graves of Muslims. Teaching him, the Imam (`a) put his hand on the ground while facing the kiblah direction.

Through an authentic chain of authority, `Abdull�h ibn Sin�n has reported that he asked Imam al-��diq (`a) to teach him how to salute the inhabitants in graves. The Imam (`a) replied that he might say the following words: MP3 of foll 3 duas

Imam al-�usayn, peace be upon him, is reported to have said that whoever enters a graveyard and says the following words, Almighty Allah will record for him rewards that are as many as the creatures from the time of (Prophet) Adam up to the coming of the Hour (of Resurrection):

Imam `Al�, peace be upon him, is reported to have said that whoever enters a graveyard and says the following words, Almighty Allah will grant him the reward of fifty-year worship and erases from him and his parents the punishment of fifty-year wrongdoings:

According to another tradition, the best thing to be said whenever one passes by a graveyard is the following words, after stopping there:

In his book of Mi�b�� al-Z�'ir, Sayyid ibn ��w�s says: When you intend to visit the graves of the faithful believers, you may choose Thursday; otherwise, you may visit them on any other day. To do so, you may turn your face towards the kiblah direction, put your hand on the grave, and say the following  words:

You may then recite S�rah al-Qadr seven times.

The method and rewards of visiting the graves of faithful believers have been demonstrated in another tradition reported from Fu�ayl who, accordingly, said: As to any one who recites S�rah al-Qadr at the grave of a faithful believer seven times, Almighty Allah will send to him an angel who will worship Him (i.e. Almighty Allah) next to that grave and the reward of all the devotional acts that are done by that angel will be recorded for the dead person. When Almighty Allah raises him from the grave, He will make easy for him all the horrors by which he will pass until he is allowed to enter Paradise. Along with S�rah al-Qadr, S�rah al-F�ti�ah (No. 1), S�rah al-Taw��d (No. 112), S�rah al-Falaq (No. 113), S�rah al-N�s (No. 114), and �yah al-Kurs� (2:155) may be also recited three times each.

Another tradition on the same subject reads that Mu�ammad ibn Muslim asked Imam al-��diq, peace be upon him, �Should we visit the dead people?�

�Yes, you should,� replied the Imam.

�Will they know about us when we visit them?� asked Mu�ammad.

�Yes, I swear it by Allah,� said the Imam (`a), �they do know about you, feel glad with that, and find entertainment with your visits.�

�What should we say when we visit them?� asked Mu�ammad.

The Imam answered, �You may say the following words:

Sayyid Ibn ��w�s then added: While you are in a graveyard, you should recite S�rah al-Taw��d eleven times and dedicate the reward to the dead. It has been reported that Almighty Allah will reward the one who does so as many folds as the number of the dead persons in that graveyard.

In the book of K�mil al-Ziy�rah, Imam al-��diq (`a) is reported to have said, �If you visit your dead people before sunrise, they will hear and reply to you. If you visit them after sunrise, they will hear you but they will not reply you.�

In al-R�wand��s book of al-Da`aw�t, there is a tradition reported from the Holy Prophet (�) entailing discommendation of visiting the dead at night. The Holy Prophet (�) is reported to have said to Ab�-Dharr, �Do not visit them frequently at night.�

In the collection of Shaykh al-Shah�d, the Holy Prophet (�) is reported to have said: Whoever repeats the following words at a grave three times, Almighty Allah shall certainly remove from the dead person in that grave the chastisement on the Resurrection Day:

The following tradition is recorded in the book of J�mi` al-Akhb�r as reported from one of the Holy Prophet�s companions:

One day, the Holy Prophet (�) said, �Give presents to your dead people.�

�O Allah�s Messenger,� we asked, �what should we give as presents to our dead people?�

�You should present them alms and supplications,� instructed the Holy Prophet (�).

He then added, �Every Friday, the souls of the believers come down to the lowest sky directly on their houses and homes and each one of them cry out with sad tone and weep, saying, �O my family members! O my sons! O my father! O my mother! O my relatives! Be kind to us, may Allah have mercy upon you, by presenting us some of that which was possessed by us! Now, woe and perdition are to us while the benefits are to others!� Each one of the dead then cry out to his relatives, saying, �Be kind to us by giving as alms a dirham, a loaf of bread, or a dress so that Almighty Allah will dress you from the garments of Paradise.��

The Holy Prophet (�) then wept so heavily that he could not keep on talking. We also wept. He then added, �Those are your brothers-in-faith. They became rotten dust after pleasure and bliss. They now express grief and lamentation, saying, �Woe be to us! Had we given as alms all that which was possessed by us, seeking Almighty Allah�s pleasure and obeying Him, we would not have been in need for you.� They then return with regret and grief, calling out, �Hurry up in giving the alms of the dead!��

The Holy Prophet (�) is also reported to have said, �Whatever alms you give on behalf of the dead, an angel will take that alms in a plate of light, while the alms is shining, to the seventh sky. He then stops at the brink of a ditch and says, �Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the graves. Your people have gifted you this present.� As the angel enters the grave with that alms, these graves are extended for their inhabitants. Verily, whoever dedicates an alms to a dead person will be given by Almighty Allah rewards that are as great as Mount U�ud. On the Resurrection Day, he will be placed under the shadow of Almighty Allah�s Throne when there shall be no shadow except Allah�s. Because of that alms, he will be saved in his lifetime and after his death.�

It has been told that the governor of Khur�s�n was seen in dream saying, �Send to me the leftovers that you give to the dogs, because I am in urgent need for these leftovers.�

In conclusion, visiting the graves of faithful believers brings about an abundant reward in addition to great advantages and outcomes. It gives lessons in religiousness, draws attentions to the reality of our worldly lives, encourages asceticism and abstinence from worldly pleasures, and arouses the desire for the Hereafter.

Visiting the graves becomes highly recommended for those who are highly delighted or extremely distressed.

A true reasonable is he who learns lessons from graves, stripping himself of the sweetness of this worldly life and changing its sweet taste into bitterness, he who ponders over the inevitable extinction of this worldly life and the ceaseless changeability of its manners, and he who always remembers that very soon, he will be just like these inhabitants of graves, will fail to do any further charitable deed, and will be lesson for others.

It is reported that Almighty Allah revealed to Prophet Jesus (`a), saying:

On the grave you are visiting recite: use www.tanzil.info & http://www.duas.org/quran.htm

1.   Suratul Fatiha three times

2.   Suratul Qadr three times

3.   Ayatul Kursi three times

4.   Suratul Falaq three times

5.   Suratun Naas three times

6.   Suratu Yaseen

Any dua asking Allah's forgiveness for the marhum/a

Respect the sanctity of the grave yard. The prophet (S.A.W.) has said:
"If I have to walk over burning desert or fire or to place my foot on the edge of a sharp sword, I would prefer it to trampling on the grave of a Muslim."

He also said to Imam Ali (A.S.):
"Ya Ali! Allah considers a few things undesirable for my followers. One of them is laughing in a graveyard�..

FROM A QOM STUDENT ..

When entering a graveyard:

How to send salutations to those buried in a graveyard as narrated from the 6^th Im�m, Im�m S�diq (ؑ):

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلىٰ اَهْلِ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ المُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ ، اَنْتُمْ لَنَا فَرَطٌ وَنَحْنُ اِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ بِكُمْ لاَ حِقُونَ.

Assal�mu �al� ahli-d-diy�ri minal mu�min�na wal muslim�n,

Antum lan� fara�un wa na�nu in sh��all�hu bikum l� �iq�n.

Peace be upon all the believers and Muslims who dwell in the world after death.

You have preceded us and if All�h wills we will join you.

Du�a for entering a graveyard as narrated from Im�m �u�ayn (ؑ):

اَللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّ هذِهِ الْاَرْوَاحِ الْفَانِيَةِ ،وَالْاَجْسَادِ الْبَالِيَةِ ، وَالْعِظَامِ النَّخِرَةِ ، اَلَّتِي خَرَجَتْ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَهِىَ بِكَ مُؤْمِنَةٌ ، اَدْخِلْ عَلَيْهِمْ رَوْحاً مِنْكَ وَسَلاَماً مِنِّي.

All�humma rabba h�dhihil arw� �il f�niyah, wal ajs�dil b�liyah, wal �idhami-n-nakhirah, allat� kharajat min ad-duny� wa hiya bika mu�minah, adkhil �alayhim raw�an minka wa sal�man minn�.

O All�h, the Creator, Nourisher, and Protector of these souls whose stay in this world was temporary, of these bodies that are decomposed, and of these bones that have rotted � those who left this world while they had faith in You. Give them spirit and happiness from You and convey my greetings of peace to them.

Ziy�rat of those who are buried narrated from Im�m �Al� (ؑ) to be recited upon entering a graveyard:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمـٰنِ الرَّحيمِ ، اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلىٰ اَهْلِ لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ مِنْ اَهْلِ لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ، يَا اَهْلَ لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ، بِحَقِّ لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ ، كَيْفَ وَجَدْتُمْ

 قَوْلَ لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ مِنْ لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ ، يَا لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ ، بِحَقِّ لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ ، اِغْفِرْ لِمَنْ قَالَ لاَ اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ ، وَاحْشُرْنَا فِي زُمْرَةِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ

اِلـٰهَ اِلاَّ اللهُ ، مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللهِ عَلِىٌّ وَلِىُّ اللهِ.

Bismi-l-l�hi-r-ra�m�ni-r-ra��m

Assal�mu �al� ahli l� il�ha ill�-l-l�hu min ahli l� il�ha illall�h,

Y� ahla l� il�ha illall�h, bi �aqqi l� il�ha illall�h,

Kayfa wajadtum qawla l� il�ha illa-l-l�hu min l� il�ha illall�h,

Y� l� il�ha illall�h, bi �aqqi l� il�ha illall�h,

Ighfir liman q�la l� il�ha illall�h,

Wa�shurn� f� zumrati man q�la l� il�ha illall�h,

Mu�ammadu-r-ras�lull�hi �al�yyun waliyyull�h

In the Name of All�h, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Peace be upon the people of the creed of Divine Unity (tawh�d) who said: L� il�ha ill�ll�h (there is no god but All�h), from those of us who follow the creed of L� il�ha ill�ll�h.

O those who follow the creed of L� il�ha ill�ll�h!

By the sake of L� il�ha ill�ll�h!

How do you find the result of having followed the creed of L� il�ha ill�ll�h? (That result which comes) from One who there is no god but He (All�h).

O All�h � one who there is no god but You!

By the sake of L� il�ha ill�ll�h!

Forgive those who follow the creed of L� il�ha ill�ll�h,

And resurrect us along with those who believe in and say: There is no god but All�h, Mu�ammad is the Messenger of All�h, �Al� is the beloved of All�h.  

According to a tradition narrated from the 6^th Im�m, Im�m S�diq (ؑ), those who are buried recognize those who visit them and find comfort and happiness in their company.

To be recited when next to a grave:

Supplication #1

Face the direction of qiblah, place your hand on the grave, and recite:

اَللّٰهُمَّ ارْحَمْ غُرْبَتَهُ ، وَ صِلْ وَحْدَتَهُ ، وَ آنِسْ وَحْشَتَهُ ، وَ آمِنْ رَوْعَتَهُ ، وَ أَسْكِنْ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ رَحْمَةً يَسْتَغْنِي بِهَا عَنْ رَحْمَةِ مَنْ سِوَاكَ ، وَأَلْحِقْهُ بِمَنْ كَانَ يَتَوَلاَّهُ.

All�hummar�am ghurbatah, wa �il wa�datah, wa �nis wa�shatah, wa �min raw�atah,

wa askin ilayh� min ra�matik, ra�matan yastaghn� bih� �an ra�mati man siw�k, wa al�iqhu bi man k�na yatawall�h.

O Allah, have mercy on his exile and separation, take away his loneliness, relieve his fear, let Your mercy be a companion in his grave, such mercy that he will be free of need of mercy from anyone other than You, and join him with whomever he used to love and follow.

Then recite the chapter of Qadr (inn� anzaln�) 7 times.

Supplication #2

اَللّٰهُمَّ جَافِ الأَرْضَ عَنْ جُنُوبِهِمْ ، وَصَاعِدْ إِلَيْكَ أَرْوَاحَهُمْ ، وَلَقِّهِمْ مِنْكَ رِضْواناً ، وَ أَسْكِنْ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ مَا تَصِلُ بِهِ وَحْدَتَهُمْ ،وَتُؤْنِسُ بِهِ وَحْشَتَهُمْ ، إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.

All�humma j�fil ar�a �an jun�bihim, wa ���id ilayka arw� �ahum,wa laqqihim minka ri�w�n�, wa askin ilayhim min ra�matika m� ta�ilu bihi wa�datahum, wa tu�nisu bihi wa�shatahum, innaka �al� kulli shay�in qad�r.

O All�h, do not let them be comfortable simply lying on their sides on the earth,

(but rather) elevate their souls to You,

Grant them Your pleasure,

Give them from Your mercy what will serve as a companion to their loneliness,

and what will relieve their fear,

Indeed You are capable of all things.

Supplication #3

Recite three times:

اَللّٰهُمَّ  إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ أَنْ لاَ تُعَذِّبَ هذَا الْمَيِّتَ.

All�humma inn� as�aluka bi�aqqi mu�ammadin wa �li mu�ammad,

an l� tu�adh-dhiba h�dhal mayyit.

O Allah, I ask you by the sake of Mu�ammad and the family of Mu�ammad to not punish this deceased.

When passing among the graves, recite surah qul huwa-ll�hu a�ad 11 times and gift the reward of the recitation to those who are buried.

Compiled by a student of the �awza in the holy city of Qum, Shaww�l, 1426 (2005). Any reward for this effort is gifted to the souls of the mu�min�n buried in the Anjuman-e-Asghari graveyard.