Knocking Heavens door -Visiting Graveyard booklet pdf NEW
Important Death Related Content
Merits of Visiting the Tombs of Faithful Believers
The trustworthy and sublime Shaykh Ja`far ibn Qawlawayh al-Qummi reports `Amr ibn `Uthman al-Razi as saying that he heard Imam Abu’l-Hasan Musa 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.”
Reciting Sura Qadr 7 times with hands on grave facing Qibla Through an authentic chain of authority, Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Ash`ari is reported to have said, “I was in Fayd (a station on the way of Makkah) when I accompanied `Ali ibn Bilal in visiting the grave of Muhammad ibn Isma`il ibn Buzaygh.`Ali related to me, saying: The one buried in this grave told me that Imam al-Rida (`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 Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) seven times, will be secured on the Great Horror Day.”
The method and rewards of visiting the graves of faithful believers have been demonstrated in another tradition reported from Fudayl who, accordingly, said: As to any one who recites Surah 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 Surah al-Qadr, Surah al-Fatihah (No. 1), Surah al-Tawhid (No. 112), Surah al-Falaq (No. 113), Surah al-Nas (No. 114), and ªyah al-Kursi (2:155) may be also recited three times each.
Sayyid Ibn Tawus then added: While you are in a graveyard, you should recite Surah al-Tawhid 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.
The following tradition is recorded in the book of Jami` al-Akhbar as reported from one of the Holy Prophet’s companions:
One day, the Holy Prophet (s) 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 (s).
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 (s) 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 (s) 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 Uhud. 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 Khurasan 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:
Cemetery Manners from al-seraj.net
It is reprehensible (not desirable) to erect high gravestones, but rather low ones.
Visiting cemeteries, asking forgiveness for the dead, praying for them and reciting Qurán by their graves, is commendable (mustahab); they benefit from dedicating the reward of these acts.
It is commendable to condole the family of the deceased, that is, encouraging them to be steadfast and reminding them of the reward for it. It is also desirable to pray for the deceased and the family before and after burial.
There are no specific words for offering condolences (anything you say will do). It is desirable to condole all members of the family- men women and children- except the young women who are marriageable (ajnabi).
It is commendable to prepare a meal for the family of the deceased as the Prophet (s) ordered when Jafer ibn Abi Talib (a) died.
Crying is permitted, not reprehensible (makrooh); the Prophet (s) cried over his son Ibrahim and over Othman bin Madh’un and other companions.
Scratching the face, pulling the hair and uttering falsehood while crying, are forbidden.
Members of Ahl al-Bayt (s) were quoted as saying: “ Those who are unable to visit our graves may visit our prominent followers’ graves; the reward is the same.
On the grave you are visiting recite Quran Suras:-
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…..
In al-Rawandi’s book of al-Da`awat, there is a tradition reported from the Holy Prophet (s) of not recommending the visiting of the dead at night. The Holy Prophet (s) is reported to have said to Abu-Dharr, “Do not visit them frequently at night.”
`Abdullah ibn Sinan has reported that he asked Imam al-Sadiq (`a) to teach him how to salute the inhabitants in graves. The Imam (`a) replied that he can say the following:
MP3 of foll 3 duas
Dua 1
السَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ اهْلِ ٱلدِّيَارِ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
alssalamu `ala ahli alddiyari min almu'minina walmuslimina
Peace be upon the inhabitants of these graves, the faithful believers and Muslims.
انْتُمْ لَنَا فَرَطٌ
antum lana faratun
You have preceded us,
وَنَحْنُ إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمْ لاََحِقُونَ
wa nahnu in sha'a allahu bikum lahiquna
and we, Allah willing, shall join you.
2.Imam al-Husayn, 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):
اَللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هٰذِهِ ٱلارْوَاحِ ٱلْفَانِيَةِ
allahumma rabba hadhihi al-arwahi alfaniyati
O Allah, O Lord of these extinct souls,
وَٱلاجْسَادِ ٱلْبَالِيَةِ
wal-ajsadi albaliyati
rotten bodies,
وَٱلْعِظَامِ ٱلنَّخِرَةِ
wal`izami alnnakhirati
and crumbled bones
ٱلَّتِي خَرَجَتْ مِنَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَهِيَ بِكَ مُؤْمِنَةٌ
allati kharajat min alddunya wa hiya bika mu'minatun
that left this worldly life bearing faith in You,
ادْخِلْ عَلَيْهِمْ رَوْحاً مِنْكَ وَسَلاَماً مِنِّي
adkhil `alayhim rawhan minka wa salaman minni
(please) insert into them rest from You and salutation from me.
3.Imam `Ali, 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:
اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ اهْلِ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
alssalamu `la ahli la ilaha illa allahu
Peace be upon the group of “There is no god save Allah”
مِنْ اهْلِ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
min ahli la ilaha illa allahu
from the group of “There is no god save Allah.”
يَا اهْلَ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
ya ahla la ilaha illa allahu
O group of “There is no god save Allah,”
بِحَقِّ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
bihaqqi la ilaha illa allahu
in the name of “There is no god save Allah,”
كَيْفَ وَجَدْتُمْ قَوْلَ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
kayfa wajadtum qawla la ilaha illa allahu
how have you found the profession of “There is no god save Allah”
مِنْ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
min la ilaha illa allahu
from “There is no god save Allah?”
يَا لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
ya la ilaha illa allahu
O He to Whom “There is no god save Allah” is said,
بِحَقِّ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
bihaqqi la ilaha illa allahu
I beseech You in the name of “There is no god save Allah”
ٱغْفِرْ لِمَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
ighfir liman qala la ilaha illa allahu
to forgive any one who professed that “There is no god save Allah”
وَٱحْشُرْنَا فِي زُمْرَةِ مَنْ قَالَ لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
wahshurna fi zumrati man qala la ilaha illa allahu
and to include us in the group of those who professed that “There is no god save Allah.
مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ
muhammadun rasulu allahi
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
عَلِيٌّ وَلِيُّ ٱللَّهِ
>aliyyun waliyyu allahi
`Ali is the authority from Allah.”
According to another tradition, the best thing to be said whenever one passes by a graveyard is the following words, after stopping there:
اَللَّهُمَّ وَلِّهِمْ مَا تَوَلَّوْٱ
allahumma wallihim ma tawallaw
O Allah, (please) turn them to that to which they have turned
وَٱحْشُرْهُمْ مَعَ مَنْ احَبُّوٱ
wahshurhum ma`a man ahabbu
and join them to those whom they have loved.
In his book of Misbah al-Za'ir, Sayyid ibn Tawus 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:
اَللَّهُمَّ ٱرْحَمْ غُرْبَتَهُ
allahumma irham ghurbatahu
O Allah, (please) have mercy on his strangeness,
وَصِلْ وَحْدَتَهُ
wa sil wahdatahu
connect his loneliness,
وَآنِسْ وَحْشَتَهُ
wa anis wahshatahu
entertain his isolation,
وَآمِنْ رَوْعَتَهُ
wa amin raw`atahu
secure his horror,
وَاسْكِنْ إِِلَيْهِ مِنْ رَحْمَتِكَ
wa askin ilayhi min rahmatika
attach Your mercy to him;
رَحْمَةً يَسْتَغْنِي بِهَا عَنْ رَحْمَةِ مَنْ سِوَاكَ
rahmatan yastaghni biha `an rahmati man siwaka
such mercy by which he can do without the mercy of anyone other than You,
وَالْحِقْهُ بِمَنْ كَانَ يَتَوَلاَّهُ
wa alhiqhu biman kana yatawallahu
and join him to those to whom he has adhered.
MP3 of foll 3 duas
Dua 1
2.Imam al-Husayn, 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):
3.Imam `Ali, 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 Misbah al-Za'ir, Sayyid ibn Tawus 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: