The Prophetic Foundation
The Prophet (SAW) demonstrated three elements of ziyara:
1. Visiting the Baqi’ cemetery in Medina: The Prophet (SAW) would regularly visit the cemetery of al-Baqi’ — where many of his Companions were buried — and make du’a for them. ‘Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet taught her this du’a for the graves:
“Peace be upon the inhabitants of these abodes from the believers and Muslims. May Allah have mercy on those who came before us and those who come after us, and insha’Allah we will join you.” (Muslim)
2. The graves of the shuhada (martyrs): He visited the martyrs of Uhud regularly, made du’a for them, and is reported to have said the deceased are aware of the visitors’ greetings.
3. Teaching the du’a for visiting graves: He explicitly taught this du’a, establishing that visitors should address the deceased in the second person — implying some form of awareness in the barzakh.
The Scholarly Debate — What Is Permitted and What Is Prohibited?
Clear consensus: Permitted and encouraged:
- Visiting graves to make du’a for the deceased
- Reciting Quran at the graveside
- Reflecting on death and the Hereafter while visiting
Majority permitted (with conditions):
- Traveling specifically to visit the graves of prophets — the Prophet (SAW) himself is the primary example (visiting him in Medina); the Prophet’s mosque in Medina is specifically exempt from the general hadith about not traveling for worship except to the three mosques
- Visiting the graves of awliya (friends of Allah) for du’a and barakah (spiritual blessing)
Debated (some scholars prohibit):
- Traveling specifically to graves other than the three mosques
- Seeking intercession (tawassul) through the deceased — the debate between those who permit du’a through the wusila of the deceased and those who restrict this to the living
- Building domes or structures over graves — many classical scholars discourage this; Wahhabism prohibits it as leading to shirk
Prohibited (by consensus):
- Praying to the deceased (rather than making du’a for them or through their wusila)
- Sacrificing animals at graves
- Prostrating to graves
- Calling upon the deceased as if they had independent divine power
The key distinction: du’a for the deceased (asking Allah to have mercy on them) versus du’a to the deceased (asking the deceased themselves, as if they had independent power) is universally recognized. The controversy concerns the middle case of tawassul — which belongs in its own article.
Ziyara in Bohra/Ismaili Tradition
The Dawoodi Bohra tradition has an especially rich ziyara culture rooted in the veneration of the Imams, the ahl al-bayt (family of the Prophet), and the Fatimid heritage:
Karbala (Iraq)
The site of the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali (61 AH / 680 CE) is the most emotionally central ziyara site in Shia and Ismaili traditions. The Bohra community performs ziyara to Karbala, recites the Ziyarat ‘Ashura, and during Ashara Mubaraka (the first ten days of Muharram) commemorates Imam al-Husayn’s martyrdom with waaz (sermons) and majlis (commemorative gatherings). See [[imam-husain-master-of-martyrs]].
Najaf (Iraq)
The burial site of Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib — the first Imam, cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet (SAW). Ziyara to Najaf includes the recitation of Ziyarat Amir al-Mu’minin — a specific du’a text addressing Imam ‘Ali.
Fatimid Sites in Cairo
The Imam al-Hakim mosque, the al-Azhar mosque (founded 970 CE), and the mausolea of the Fatimid Imams in Cairo are significant ziyara sites for the Bohra community, who trace their spiritual heritage directly to the Fatimid da’wa.
The Mazarat in India
The Bohra community maintains mazarat (burial sites) of the Duat al-Mutlaq across India — particularly in Surat (Gujarat), where many Du’at are buried. These sites are regularly visited, and the anniversary of each Da’i’s death (‘urs) is observed.
Du’a and Etiquette
Before entering: Make niyyah for the ziyara and say salaam upon entering: “Assalamu alaykum ya ahl al-qubur…”
During ziyara: Recite the appropriate ziyarat texts, make du’a for the deceased, recite Quran (particularly Surah Ya-Sin and Surah al-Fatiha), and reflect on death and the Hereafter.
After ziyara: Give sadaqah on behalf of the deceased; make du’a that their graves be filled with light (noor).
See also: Janazah, Barzakh, Imam Husain Master Of Martyrs, Imam Al Tayyib, Dai Al Mutlaq Institution, Fatimid Caliphate, Understanding Dua