Question No:5415)Whether women are allowed to visit muslim graves

[Topic:Women]

Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters, As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you) One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question: Dear Q&A Could you please advise for the following: Whether women are allowed to visit muslim graves - if the answer is no - why? Are women allowed to be present at funerals i.e. burying of the dead at grave yards Are we as muslims buried in a certain direction in the grave yard i.e facing qibla? Sister Tabassum
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer: Women graveyards burial funeral In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers. Your Question:- Whether women are allowed to visit muslim graves - if the answer is no - why? There is absolutely no harm in Islam if a believing woman wishes to occasionally visit the grave of her parents or loved ones. Hadrat Abdallah ibn Abi Mulaikah (r.a.) said, "Once Aishah (the wife of the Prophet (saws)) returned after visiting the graveyard. I asked, 'O Mother of the Believers, where have you been?' She said: 'I went out to visit the grave of my brother Abd ar-Rahman.' I asked her: 'Didn't the Messenger of Allah (saws) prohibit visiting graves?' She said, 'Yes, he did forbid visiting graves during the early days (of Islam), but later on he ordered us to visit them'." Related by Al-Hakim and Al-Baihaqi. The purpose of visiting graves is to remember the Hereafter, which is something that both men and women need. Men are by no means more in need of this reminder than women. Thus provided the woman does not violate the rights of her husband, or her duties towards her house and her children, and she does not violate any of the guidelines of Shariah in her dressing and adornment and speech, there is absolutely no harm if the believing woman occasionally visits the graveyards, if she wishes to do so. The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: , "May Allah curse the women who are frequent visitors of the graves." Related by Ahmad and Tirmidhi.

Al-Qurtubi explains the implications of the above hadith: "The curse mentioned in this hadith applies only to those women who visit graves frequently. The reason for this curse lies perhaps in the fact that it involves infringement of the rights of the husband, and leads to adornment and exhibition of their beauty to strangers, and shouting, yelling, and other similar things." It may be said that, "If no such harm is feared from women visiting graves, then there is no valid reason for preventing them from visiting graves, for indeed remembrance of death is something that both men and women equally need." Most of the scholars in Islam hold it permissible for the women to visit the graves occasionally; but hold it forbidden for the women to visit the graves frequently as stated by the Messenger of Allah (saws). Your Question: - Are women allowed to be present at funerals i.e. burying of the dead at grave yards The majority of the scholars of all the major thoughts of school in Islam are unanimous in their opinion that it is severely disliked for a believing woman to follow a funeral procession, but they do not consider it unlawful or a prohibition. Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 4.59 Umm 'Atiyah reported: "We were forbidden to accompany funeral processions, but this prohibition was not mandatory for us." Related by Ahmad, Bukhari, Muslim & Ibn Majah. Muhammad ibn Al-Hanafiyyah reported that 'Ali said: "The Prophet (saws) went out and saw a group of women sitting outside. When he (saws) asked them why they were sitting there, they told him that they were waiting for the funeral procession. He (saws) asked them: 'Are you going to wash the body?' They said: 'No.' The Prophet (saws) asked them: 'Are you going to carry the coffin?' They said: 'No.' He (saws) asked them: 'Will you place the body in the grave?' They said: 'No.' At this he (saws) said to them: 'Then go back to your homes with your sins and without gaining any reward." Related by Ibn Majah and Al-Hakim. Ibn Mas'ud, Ibn 'Umar, Abu Amamah, 'Aishah, Masruq, Al-Hasan, An-Nakh'i, Awza'i, Ishaq, and the Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali schools all disapprove the participation of women in funeral processions. According to Imam Malik of the Maliki school of thought, it is not disliked for an old woman to leave her home to attend a funeral. In his opinion, a young woman afflicted by the death of a dear one may also accompany a funeral procession without any disapproval, provided she is well covered and her presence does not cause any temptation. The scholars who opine that it is permissible for a woman to accompany a funeral cite this narration as their evidence: Narrated by Shu'bah on the authority of Waki', who in turn narrated it from Hisham ibn 'Urwah, who heard it from Wahab ibn Kaysan, who heard it from Muhammad ibn 'Amr ibn 'Ata who reported it from Abu Hurairah that once when the Prophet (saws) attended a funeral, 'Umar saw a woman there and yelled at her. The Prophet (saws) said: "Leave her, O 'Umar! Verily her eyes shed tears, the soul feels the pangs, and the promised Hour is near." And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Your Question:- Are we as muslims buried in a certain direction in the grave yard i.e facing qibla? Fiqh us-Sunnah Fiqh 4.16 Lay the dying person so that the qibla is on his right side. To this effect it is recorded that Abu Qatadah said: "Upon arrival in Madinah, the Prophet (saws) enquired about a person called al-Bara ibn Ma'rur. The people told the Prophet (saws) that he had died, and had willed one-third of his property to the Prophet (saws), and that his face be turned toward the Ka'bah at the time of his death. Hearing this (that the deceased wished his face be turned towards the Kaaba), the Prophet (saws) said: 'He has been true to his fitrah (innate nature). I return the one-third of his property to his children.' Then the Prophet (saws) left and offered a funeral prayer for him. Narrated by Al-Baihaqi and Al-Hakim. Ahmad reported that Fatimah (r.a.), the daughter of the Prophet (saws) at the time of her death, turned her face toward the Ka'bah, and placed her right hand under her head. This is the sleeping position recommended by the Prophet (saws), and also in a grave, a dead body should also be placed in the same position. A report recorded from Ash-Shafi'i says: The body of the deceased should be laid flat on his back with his feet toward the Ka'bah, and his face raised a little, facing it. The majority of scholars, however favor the first position (with the qibla on ones right and the face turned towards it) and hold it to be preferable. In light of the above guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws) it is preferred that the body of a dying person be laid in a position whereby the Qibla to their right, and to turn their face towards it. The absolute majority of the scholars hold it preferable that one is also buried in the same position, ie. with the Qibla to the right and the face of the deceased turned towards it. Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allahs Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

282. O ye who believe! when ye Deal with Each other, In transactions involving future obligations In a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing let a scribe write down faithfully As between the parties: let not the scribe refuse to write: As Allah has taught him, so let Him write. let Him who incurs the liability dictate, but let Him fear His Lord Allah, and not diminish aught of what He owes. if They party liable is mentally deficient, or weak, or unable Himself to dictate, let His guardian dictate faithfully, and get two witnesses, out of your own men, and if there are not two men, then a man and two women, such As ye choose, for witnesses, so that if one of them errs, the other can remind her. the witnesses should not refuse when They are called on (for evidence). Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period, whether it be small or big: it is juster In the sight of Allah, more suitable As evidence, and more convenient to prevent doubts among yourselves but if it be a transaction which ye carry out on the spot among yourselves, there is no blame on you if ye reduce it not to writing. but take witness whenever ye make a commercial contract; and let neither scribe nor witness suffer harm. if ye do (Such harm), it would be wickedness In you. so fear Allah. for it is god that teaches you. and Allah is well acquainted with all things.

'Buttocks injection' death: Police quiz woman in US

Police are now seeking a second woman, who they believe may have performed the procedure Continue reading the main story Related Stories

UK 'buttock injection' woman dies

US police investigating the death of a UK woman who received a cosmetic injection in her buttocks in a hotel room have questioned a woman believed to be linked to the procedure. Investigators say Claudia Adusei, 20, who had travelled from London, died in hospital in Pennsylvania on Tuesday after an injection of silicone. Police executed a search warrant on Tuesday at the home of a woman believed to have set up the appointment online. No arrests have been made in the case.

Hotel room procedure

Detectives said the liquid silicone injection, thought to have been arranged over the internet, took place at a hotel near Philadelphia International Airport. The woman questioned by police was not placed under arrest, Lt Ray Evers said.
Continue reading the main story Analysis

Rajini Vaidyanathan BBC News,

Washington

Buttock enhancement treatments are most popular in South America, where many people see a fuller, shapely bottom as a sign of attractiveness - but they are becoming more common in the US. The injection of liquid silicone for cosmetic purposes is banned here, but there is a growing black market. On some websites and chatrooms, it is possible to buy a course of injections and get instructions on how to administer them at home. There have also been reports of so-called "pump-up parties", where women and members of the transgender community inject themselves to enhance their feminine appearance. Figures on the numbers injured or killed by the treatments are not officially recorded, but the number of reported cases are on the rise. Ms Adusei, a British resident, and three companions were staying at a Hampton Inn hotel near the airport after travelling from London, police said. Ms Adusei had the buttocks injection on Monday and a companion had a hip augmentation, AP reported. Ms Adusei reportedly became ill and died on Tuesday. The medical examiner for Delaware County, Pennsylvania, had yet to release autopsy results, and further details of the procedure were unavailable. Investigators are now pursuing a second woman who is believed to have performed the procedure, Lt Evers said.

Growing trend
Silicone is used as a permanent filler in the body and is intended to create a rounded shape. Liquid silicone is not approved in the US for cosmetic injections and is banned in a host of other countries. Experts say a growing number of young women are seeking out procedures to enhance the shape of their buttocks. "Bottom augmentation is becoming more popular and originated in South America, in places like Brazil," said Paul Harris, plastic surgery consultant at the Royal Marsden hospital in London. Mr Harris added that though bottom augmentation procedures were becoming increasingly popular with women in the UK, liquid silicone injections were not practiced because of the risks associated with them. In March 2009, a woman in New York City died of a pulmonary embolism when silicone injected into her buttocks and thighs entered her lungs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12410546 2 February 2011 Last updated at 11:57 GMT

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Four arrested after Bangladesh girl 'lashed to death'

By Anbarasan Ethirajan
BBC News, Dhaka

house after news of her death emerged Continue reading the main story Related Stories

A crowd gathered outside the teenager's

Publicly caned 'adulteress' dies

Four people including a Muslim cleric have been arrested in Bangladesh in connection with the death of 14-year-old girl who was publicly lashed. The teenager was accused of having an affair with a married man, police say, and the punishment was given under Islamic Sharia law. Hena Begum's family members said a village court consisting of elders and clerics passed the sentence. She was alleged to have had the affair with her cousin and received 80 lashes.

Punishment received

The family members of the married man also allegedly beat the girl up a day before the village court passed the sentence in the district of Shariatpur.

Hena Begum died after being taken to hospital

"Her family members said she was admitted to a hospital after the incident and she died six days later. The village elders also asked the girl's father to pay a fine of about 50,000 Taka (430; $700)," district superintendent of police, AKM Shahidur Rahman, told the BBC. He said it had not been established yet whether she died because of the punishment she received or another reason. "We are still waiting for the post-mortem report. In the meantime, we are also looking for another 14 people including a teacher from a local madrassa in connection with this case," Mr Rahman said. Activists say dozens of fatwas - or religious rulings - are issued under Sharia law each year by village clergy in Bangladesh. "What sort of justice is this? My daughter has been beaten to death in the name of justice. If it had been a proper court then my daughter would not have died," Dorbesh Khan, the father of Hena Begum, told the BBC. He said those responsible for the death should be punished. A group of people held a rally on Wednesday in the town of Shariatpur in protest against those who gave the fatwa and demanded action against them. This is the second reported fatality linked to a Sharia law punishment since the practice was outlawed last year by the High Court.

A 40-year-old woman in the district of Rajshahi died in December, days after she was publicly caned for allegedly having an affair with her stepson. Nearly 90% of Bangladesh's estimated 160 million population are Muslims, most of whom practise a moderate version of Islam.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12344959