Visiting Rasulullaah SAW.'s Blessed Tomb

Q: Prohibitions and Permissions-44: It is the opinion of the Ghayr Muqallideen that it is not permissible to undertake the journey to Madinah to visit the blessed tomb of Rasulullaah SAW. If this is true. what is the proof in the books of Ahadeeth? What is the opinion of the Ulema of Deoband in this regard?

Answer: Indeed, the Ghayr Muqallideen do believe that there is no permissible to travel to visit the blessed tomb of Rasulullaah SAW. as one of their leaders Moulana Noorul Hasan writes on page 257 of his book Urful Jaari.

This is not the belief of the Ulema of Deoband. Their belief is that visiting the blessed tomb of Rasulullaah SAW. is the best of all Mustahab acts for which tremendous rewards are earned. In fact, they deem it to be close to Waajib (compulsory).

Hadhrat Moulana Khaleel Ahmad Ambetwi RAH. states: "In our opinion and the opinion of our seniors, visiting the grave of Rasulullaah SAW. is amongst the best of all good deeds, the most important of all Mustahab acts and most effective in attaining high ranks. In fact, it is really close to Waajib (compulsory)." He states further that when embarking in the journey, one should make the intention of visiting the grave of Rasulullaah SAW. together with visiting the Masjid and other important sites. In fact, he says, the best is to do as Allaama Ibn Humaam RAH. says when he stated that one should make the express intention of visiting Rasulullaah SAW.'s grave and then to visit the Masjid when there. This shows more reverence to Rasulullaah SAW. and also complies better with the Hadith in which Rasulullaah SAW. says, "When a person comes to visit me with no motive other than visiting me, it becomes compulsory for me interceded for him on the Day of Qiyaamah.

Hadhrat Moulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi RAH. also states that it is best to intend visiting Rasulullaah SAW.'s grave when undertaking the journey. Hadhrat Moulana Husayn Ahmad Madani RAH. also concurs with this and states further: "Therefore, I am of the opinion that one should visit Madinah before Hajj and secure the medium of Rasulullaah SAW. to have one's Hajj and Umrah accepted. Although visiting the Masjid is also visited at the same time, the best is to visit with the express intention of visiting Rasulullaah SAW. so that one could concur with the Hadith that states: 'with no motive other than visiting me.
And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3