Visiting De Graveyard On De Night Of Bara'at

[Ramz 8]

Rasool (S.A.W.) awakeing during the night and visiting the graveyard is recorded in some of the previously mentioned Ahaadith. However, visiting of the graveyard is not a special characteristic of this night. Instead, it is proven from another authentic narration that Rasool (S.A.W.) would visit the graveyard during the last portion of every night.

Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) narrates that whenever it was her turn for Rasool (S.A.W.) to spend the night with, he would visit the Baqee (Graveyard of Madinah) and would say:

'Peace be upon you 0 dwellers of the Muslim graveyard. Death, which was promised to you has indeed befallen you. You are already journeying towards tomorrow (the Hereafter). Verily, if Allah wills, we will also join you. 0 Allah, forgive the inmates of Baqee." - Sahih Muslim Page 313 VI

Imam Nawawi writes

"From this it is learnt that visiting the graveyard, greeting its inmates and making dua of forgiveness and mercy for them is Mustahab (desirable). " -Sahih Muslim Page 313 Vl

There is another Hadith in the Sahih Muslim wherein Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) explains a similar subject matter as was seen in the narration concerning the night of Bara'at. (It is a generally accepted fact that all the Ahaadith in Muslim Shareef are authentic.) She says: "Rasulullah (S.A.W.) once entered my room when it was my turn for him to spend the night with. He placed his sheet aside, removed his sandals and kept them at his feet. He spread the edge of his lungi over the bedding and lay down. He lay still until he thought I had fallen asleep. He then took his sheet slowly. wore his shoes and gently opened the door, and (as he left), closed the door very gently. I also dressed, donned my veil and left behind him. He went to Baqee where he remained standing for a long time. He thereafter raised and dropped his hands thrice and returned. I also returned. He was walking fast and I did the same in order not to be detected. I hastened my pace in conformance to his and thus reached home before him. Just as I lay down, he entered the room. He asked: 0 Aisha, why are you breathing so heavily? I replied that there was nothing to it. He said: Tell me otherwise Allah will inform me. I replied: May my parents be sacrificed for thee and then related the entire incident to him. He asked: Are you the same person I saw in the distance? I replied in the affirmative. He gave me a slight push with his fist in my chest, the effect of which I felt, and he asked once again: Did you think that Allah and His Rasool (S.A.W.) would oppress you? I replied: No matter how much people try to hide something from you, then too Allah informs you. Rasool (S.A.W.) then said to me Jibraeel (A.S.) came to me. He secretly called me. I also secretly answered him (this concealment was due to the fact that) he does not enter the room when you have removed your clothes. I thought that you had fallen asleep and did not desire to awaken you. Besides, I feared that you would become scared. Jihraeel (A.S.) said to me: Your Lord commands you to visit the inmates of Baqee and make dua for their forgiveness. Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) questioned Rasool (S.A.W.) as to what he recited there. He replied: Say (the following dua):

TRANSLATION: Peace be upon the believing (Mu'min) inhabitants of the home and may ALLAH shower mercy upon the deceased amongst us and those whose death still awaits them. And verily, if Allah wills, we will soon join you.' - Sahih

Muslim Page 314 VI

[Ramz 8]

There is no specific reference in this Hadith to the night of Bara'at or any other night. Furthermore, it is understood from the previous 'Hadith that whenever it was Hazrat Aisha's (R.A.) turn for Rasool (S.A.W.) to spend the night with, he would visit the graveyard. Thus a wide and general application of this practice is understood. Aside from visiting the graveyard on the night of Bara'at, we should ponder as to what extent our practice conforms to the authentic Ahadith of Nabi (S.A.W.). Are we following a norm, or are our actions truly sprrded by an intention to follow the Sunnah? The turn of Hazat Aisha (R.A.) occurred once every week. It can thus be concluded from the above riwaayat that Nabi (S.A.W.) would visit the graveyard a minimum of once a week.

Hazrat Buraidah Aslami (R.A.) narrates that Rasool (S.A.W.) said:

"I originally prohibited you from visiting the graves, however I now advise you to visit the graves."

Another Hadith on the topic adds that this will cause you to remember death. - Sahih Muslim Page 314 Vl.

This Hadith does not restrict the visit to either day or night. We should therefore visit the graveyard whenever we have an opportunity. Remember death and make dua for the forgiveness of the deceased. We should not suffice with visiting the graveyard on the night of Bara'at and thereafter neglect this virtuous act during the rest of the year. In the Hadith, no specific day e.g. Friday, Thursday, etc., has been reserved for the visiting of the graves. We should therefore abstain from giving any particular day significance for this nractice.