checkuser
53
edits
Ziara: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
In religious statements, much emphasis has been placed on going to visit the great personages and scholars of religion and also on going to visit the believers while they are living. Going to the ziara of the tomb of the Messenger of God, ziara of the tombs of the Imams, ziara of the graves of martyrs and religious scholars, and ziara of the graves of parents and others who have passed away are all examples of ziara. | In religious statements, much emphasis has been placed on going to visit the great personages and scholars of religion and also on going to visit the believers while they are living. Going to the ziara of the tomb of the Messenger of God, ziara of the tombs of the Imams, ziara of the graves of martyrs and religious scholars, and ziara of the graves of parents and others who have passed away are all examples of ziara. | ||
According to Islamic traditions the ziara of the graves of the deceased, particularly the religious dignitaries, is permissible | According to Islamic traditions the ziara of the graves of the deceased, particularly the religious dignitaries, is permissible; but the Wahhabis and Salafis and other adherents to some sectarian issues have regarded this practice as polytheistic and have opposed it. Besides having different teachings regarding many matters with the Shi’a, they have particularly a different opinion in regard to ziara and its resulting effects. | ||
==In the Quran== | ==In the Quran== | ||
No definite indication of either permitting of prohibiting the ziara of the deceased exists in Quranic Verses. Certain interpreters from the content of the Verse 21 of Surah Kahf have understood that going to ziara and building masjid around graves of believers and monotheists are allowed. Also in interpretation of the Verse 84 of Surah Tawbah- in which the Holy Prophet is prohibited from reciting salah and praying at the corpses of hypocrites (al-munafiqun) and also from standing next to their graves- it has been said that this prohibition is not merely related to the burial ceremony and the recitation of the prescribed «deceased prayer», rather the intention is to forbid praying and standing next to the graves of hypocrites namely the ziara of the graves of hypocrites. Thus, it can be concluded that ziara of the graves of non- hypocrites i.e. the believers is allowed. | No definite indication of either permitting of prohibiting the ziara of the deceased exists in Quranic Verses. Certain interpreters from the content of the Verse 21 of Surah Kahf have understood that going to ziara and building masjid around graves of believers and monotheists are allowed. Also in interpretation of the Verse 84 of Surah Tawbah- in which the Holy Prophet is prohibited from reciting salah and praying at the corpses of hypocrites (al-munafiqun) and also from standing next to their graves- it has been said that this prohibition is not merely related to the burial ceremony and the recitation of the prescribed «deceased prayer», rather the intention is to forbid praying and standing next to the graves of hypocrites namely the ziara of the graves of hypocrites. Thus, it can be concluded that ziara of the graves of non- hypocrites i.e. the believers, is allowed. | ||
According to the Verse 64 of Surah Nisa’, if people come to the Prophet in order to seek forgiveness and the Prophet seeks forgiveness for them from Allah, indeed they shall benefit from Divine forgiveness. Some have considered this Verse as a proof for permissibility of ziara of the grave of the Prophet. for, the Prophet is alive in the presence of God, sees his pilgrims, and responds to their salutation and thus there is no difference whether forgiveness is sought from him during his life or after his death. Therefore, the verb «come to you» is related to both his lifetime and after it. The general belief among Muslims has also been such and Muslims have not understood from this Verse that there is no difference between the Prophet’s life and death in this regard. To support the application of the Verse to the person after the Prophet’s death, the story of a Bedouin has been cited. He went to the grave of the Prophet and recited this Verse and sought forgiveness, then he received the glad tidings of the [[intercession]] of the Prophet. | According to the Verse 64 of Surah Nisa’, if people come to the Prophet in order to seek forgiveness and the Prophet seeks forgiveness for them from Allah, indeed they shall benefit from Divine forgiveness. Some have considered this Verse as a proof for permissibility of ziara of the grave of the Prophet. for, the Prophet is alive in the presence of God, sees his pilgrims, and responds to their salutation and thus there is no difference whether forgiveness is sought from him during his life or after his death. Therefore, the verb «come to you» is related to both his lifetime and after it. The general belief among Muslims has also been such and Muslims have not understood from this Verse that there is no difference between the Prophet’s life and death in this regard. To support the application of the Verse to the person after the Prophet’s death, the story of a Bedouin has been cited. He went to the grave of the Prophet and recited this Verse and sought forgiveness, then he received the glad tidings of the [[intercession]] of the Prophet. | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
The Verse 32 of Surah Hajj_ which recommends veneration and honoring of the Divine rituals, «al-Sha’aa’ir al-ilahiya»_ has also been regarded as another evidence for the permissibility of ziara of great religious figures. Sha’aa’ir literally means signs and symbols. According to exegeses, the intended meaning of Sha’aa’ir in the Quran is the symbols and signs of the religion of Allah. It has been said that ziara of the graves of religious dignitaries is in the same category as veneration Divine rituals and, with due attention to the content of the Verse, is the sign of piety. | The Verse 32 of Surah Hajj_ which recommends veneration and honoring of the Divine rituals, «al-Sha’aa’ir al-ilahiya»_ has also been regarded as another evidence for the permissibility of ziara of great religious figures. Sha’aa’ir literally means signs and symbols. According to exegeses, the intended meaning of Sha’aa’ir in the Quran is the symbols and signs of the religion of Allah. It has been said that ziara of the graves of religious dignitaries is in the same category as veneration Divine rituals and, with due attention to the content of the Verse, is the sign of piety. | ||
==In Hadith== | ==In Hadith== | ||
In some [[Shiʿa|Shi’a]] and [[Sunni]] [[hadith]] sources, it has been said that the Messenger of Allah in the first stages of inviting to Islam had forbidden Muslims to visit graves of the deceased but after a while ziara of the people | In some [[Shiʿa|Shi’a]] and [[Sunni]] [[hadith]] sources, it has been said that the Messenger of Allah in the first stages of inviting people to Islam had forbidden Muslims to visit graves of the deceased but after a while ziara of the graves of the dead people was permitted on condition that no word mixed with ungratefulness would be uttered. Ziara authorization date after its original prohibition is sometimes stated to have been at time of the battle of [http://en.wikishia.net/view/Battle_of_Khaybar Khaybar] (7 AH), sometimes it is said at time of the battle of Hunan (8 AH) and sometimes it is said it was after the Prophet visited his mother’s grave at Abwa’ which was probably after the Conquest of Mecca in the 8 AH. In any case, it is certain that after the 8th year from Hijra, ziara of the people of grave was allowed and thenceforth the Prophet and his companions used to go for ziara of the graves. In regard to the reason for its original prohibition it is said that in the Age of pre-Islam Jahiliyya- as understood from the first and second Verses of Surah Takathur- people going to the graves of their deceased used to boast of the numerousness of their (dead) relatives. This type of ziara which was the habit of Meccan polytheists, was reproached. Therefore, it can be understood that ziara- due to the misbehavior of people in a certain period of time- was prohibited and with correction of such behavior and departure from the habits of Jahiliyya, after establishment of Islam, this prohibition was lifted. | ||
Many narratives exist about the Prophet going on ziara of the | Many narratives exist about the Prophet going on ziara of the deceased and recommending it to Muslims and teaching them its rituals, from which permissibility of ziara is understood. It has been narrated that whenever the Prophet went to the Baqi’ cemetery, he used to speak softly to the dead and pray and seek forgiveness for them. It has also been said that the Prophet while passing graves, used to recite Salam to the people of grave and speak about joining them in the near future and seek forgiveness from Allah for them all. In addition, in narratives it has been mentioned particularly that the Prophet used to visit his father’s and mother’s gravesides. According to narratives the holy Prophet and following him [[Fatima]] repeatedly went for ziara of the martyrs’ graves and in particular the grave f Hamzah, the Master of Martyrs, and recited Salam to them. The Prophet also used to exhort Muslims to go on ziara of martyrs’ graves and the grave of Hamzah. | ||
Based on Shi’a hadiths the Imams, like the Prophet, used to exhort their followers to go on ziara of the people | Based on Shi’a hadiths the Imams, like the Prophet, used to exhort their followers to go on ziara of the dead people and teach its rituals to them. For instance Imam ‘Ali in the hadith «’arba’ mi’ah» has considered going on ziara of the deceased as cause of joy for them. He has asserted that it is meritorious to request one’s needs and wants from Allah next to the graves of one’s father and mother after praying for the two of them. Hadiths also recommend ziara of the people of grave on early Friday mornings before sunrise. Some hadiths say that the dead recognize persons visiting their graves; ziara makes them happy so much that they feel anxious and fearful after the visitor has left. In many Shi’a hadiths much emphasis has been placed on the ziara of the Imams’ graves, in particular [[Imam ‘Ali]], [[Imam Hussain]], and [[Imam Reza]]. Also, ziara rituals for the Imams have been explained in detail. Recommending ziara of certain personages from the progeny of the Messenger of Allah such as ziara of Hazrat Ma’suma and promising Heaven for it and also recommending ziara of Abdul ‘Azim Hasani in Ray and equating its reward with ziara of Imam Hussain in [[Karbala]] in order to confirm these places, are of other permissibility confirmers for ziara in the Shi’a Tradition. | ||
==The Muslims’ Conduct== | ==The Muslims’ Conduct== | ||
Study of Muslims’ conduct in the subject of ziara of people of grave can be regarded as another confirmation for ziara permissibility. As examples ziara of people of grave by religion personages and the ashab, these are mentioned: ziaras of Abu Bakr, Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu Sa’eed Khudri, Umar and Fatimah Khoza’iyah from the grave of Hamzah, ziara of Aisha from the grave of her brother ‘Abd al-Rahman, ziara of ‘Umar from his father’s grave, ziara of Imam Hussain from the grave of Imam Hasan on Friday eves, ziara of Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah Ansari on [[Arba’een]] and also based on some sources, ziara of the family of Imam Hussain from the graves of Karbala martyrs on their way back to Medina after being emancipated from captivity. Also mentioning of certain graves noted by Muslims in some sources in an indication of Muslims’ conduct throughout times. Some of such people of grave are: Bilal Habashi, Salman Farsi, Talhah, Zubair, Abu Ayyub Ansari, ‘Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, Abu Hanifa and Malik ibn Anas. | Study of Muslims’ conduct in the subject of ziara of people of grave can be regarded as another confirmation for ziara permissibility. As examples ziara of people of grave by religion personages and the ashab, these are mentioned: ziaras of Abu Bakr, Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu Sa’eed Khudri, Umar and Fatimah Khoza’iyah from the grave of Hamzah, ziara of Aisha from the grave of her brother ‘Abd al-Rahman, ziara of ‘Umar from his father’s grave, ziara of Imam Hussain from the grave of Imam Hasan on Friday eves, ziara of Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah Ansari on [[Arba’een]] and also based on some sources, ziara of the family of Imam Hussain from the graves of Karbala martyrs on their way back to Medina after being emancipated from captivity. Also mentioning of certain graves noted by Muslims in some sources in an indication of Muslims’ conduct throughout times. Some of such people of grave are: Bilal Habashi, Salman Farsi, Talhah, Zubair, Abu Ayyub Ansari, ‘Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, Abu Hanifa and Malik ibn Anas. | ||
Philosophers have also believed in ziara of people of grave and have raised argument for this belief too. Ziara of people | Philosophers have also believed in ziara of people of grave and have raised argument for this belief too. Ziara of the dead people has also been common among the mystics and [[Sufi]]s. They have considered going to ziara as a way to spiritual journey and to gain virtues, therefore they have recommended it to their followers. | ||
==Benefits of Ziara== | ==Benefits of Ziara== | ||
In narratives, benefits have also been stated for ziara of people | In narratives, benefits have also been stated for ziara of the dead people. Based on those narrations, ziara of the dead people has results in worldly life such as blessings, remembering the Hereafter, learning from the state of the dead, piety and disinclining toward the world, becoming tender-hearted, drawing close toward Allah, answering of prayers and granting the wishes and removing of problems, profiting from material and spiritual benefits, purity and staying away from sins. Also, ziara of the graves of the Infallible Ones results in acceptance of repentance and tawbah of pilgrims and their remoteness from sins in the world. Of the otherworldly benefits of ziara are the promise of Heaven and the privilege of [[intercession]]. | ||
According to Shi’ite hadiths, one who willingly and eagerly goes on ziara of any of the Pure Imams, that Imam on Qiyamat will intercede for that person. The reward for ziara of any of the Imams is said to be equal to the reward for ziara of the Messenger of Allah. It has also been narrated that the holy Prophet has ensured the deliverance of those going on his and other Infallible Ones’ ziara from the fear and hardship of the Resurrection Day. | According to Shi’ite hadiths, one who willingly and eagerly goes on ziara of any of the Pure Imams, that Imam on Qiyamat will intercede for that person. The reward for ziara of any of the Imams is said to be equal to the reward for ziara of the Messenger of Allah. It has also been narrated that the holy Prophet has ensured the deliverance of those going on his and other Infallible Ones’ ziara from the fear and hardship of the Resurrection Day. | ||
==Ziara of the Prophet’s Grave== | ==Ziara of the Prophet’s Grave== | ||
Ziara of the Messenger of Allah in particular has been the subject of some discussions. Many narratives are | Ziara of the Messenger of Allah in particular has been the subject of some discussions. Many narratives are there in regard to ziara of Messenger of God being recommended and its benefits. Based on Narrations, the reward for ziara of the Messenger’s grave is equivalent to the reward of visiting him during his lifetime and also it is considered equivalent to performing two hajjes or equivalent to one hajj accompanying the Prophet. Also promises of his intercession and his companionship at the Resurrection Day have been given to the pilgrim. | ||
Another hadith states that one who performs hajj and intentionally avoids ziara of the Messenger of God, has unfaithfully troubled and oppressed him. Moreover, Muslims’ conduct in many periods has been that they went to ziara of the Prophet’s grave either before or after hajj. They used to go for ziara of the Prophet while enduring hardships and traveling long distances | Another hadith states that one who performs hajj and intentionally avoids ziara of the Messenger of God, has unfaithfully troubled and oppressed him. Moreover, Muslims’ conduct in many periods has been that they went to ziara of the Prophet’s grave either before or after hajj. They used to go for ziara of the Prophet while enduring hardships and traveling long distances to prove obedience and seek closeness. This continuous conduct indicates the desirability of this behavior in the eyes of all Muslims. Conduct of the companions and the successors and the [[Ahl Al-Bayt]] too, verify the permissibility of ziara of the Prophet. Different Sunni sects hold a consensus regarding desirability of the Prophet’s ziara and some have considered its istehbab as highly emphasized upon. In addition, ziara of the dead people is veneration and honoring of the visited. Since the honoring of the Prophet is obligatory, his ziara is thus not only permitted but it is praiseworthy and recommended. | ||
==Ziara of Imam Hussain’s Grave== | ==Ziara of Imam Hussain’s Grave== | ||
The plain of Karbala was the site of the battle on 10 [[Muharram]] 61/10 October 680 between Imam Hussain and the Umayyad army which led to the martyrdom of Imam and his followers. After the Umayyad troops had left, tribesmen from a nearby village buried [[Imam Hussain]] and [[ʿAbbas]] in the battlefield, and as early as 65/684-85 Hussain’s grave became a pilgrimage site for the Shiʿites. In the first decades following Hussain’s death, visitation of his tomb was precarious and was observed mainly by the members of the ʿAlid family. By the 9th century, the Shiʿite Imams were already attempting to institutionalize the practice of [[Ziarat Ashura|ziarat al-ʿAshura]] (visitation on the 10 [[Muharram]]) and ziarat [[Arba'een|al-arbaʿeen]] (visitation on the fortieth day of Hussain’s death) as a central element in Shiʿite identity. The early traditions attribute such attempts to [[Jaʿfar al-Sadiq|Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadeq]]. <ref>d. 148/765, [[Yitzhak Nakash|Nakash]], 1995, p. 155.</ref> In promoting the visitations, the Imams exalted [[Karbala]]’s position, attributing blessing and healing power to its soil and highlighting the future heavenly rewards that the visitors would gain. Henceforth, the pilgrimage, particularly to [[Karbala]], aimed at preserving Shiʿite collective memory and group identity distinguished from that of the Sunnis. Since they were taken throughout the year, the visitations became a more popular destination among the Shiʿites. <ref>http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/karbala.</ref> | The plain of Karbala was the site of the battle on 10 [[Muharram]] 61/10 October 680 between Imam Hussain and the Umayyad army which led to the martyrdom of Imam and his followers. After the Umayyad troops had left, tribesmen from a nearby village buried [[Imam Hussain]] and [[ʿAbbas]] in the battlefield, and as early as 65/684-85 Hussain’s grave became a pilgrimage site for the Shiʿites. In the first decades following Hussain’s death, visitation of his tomb was precarious and was observed mainly by the members of the ʿAlid family. By the 9th century, the Shiʿite Imams were already attempting to institutionalize the practice of [[Ziarat Ashura|ziarat al-ʿAshura]] (visitation on the 10 [[Muharram]]) and ziarat [[Arba'een|al-arbaʿeen]] (visitation on the fortieth day of Hussain’s death) as a central element in Shiʿite identity. The early traditions attribute such attempts to [[Jaʿfar al-Sadiq|Imam Jaʿfar al-Sadeq]]. <ref>d. 148/765, [[Yitzhak Nakash|Nakash]], 1995, p. 155.</ref> In promoting the visitations, the Imams exalted [[Karbala]]’s position, attributing blessing and healing power to its soil and highlighting the future heavenly rewards that the visitors would gain. Henceforth, the pilgrimage, particularly to [[Karbala]], aimed at preserving Shiʿite collective memory and group identity distinguished from that of the Sunnis. Since they were taken throughout the year, the visitations became a more popular destination among the Shiʿites. <ref>http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/karbala.</ref> | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
Despite the consensus of Islamic sects regarding permissibility of ziara in general and permissibility ziara of the holy Prophet in particular, a few of the followers of the [[Hanbali]] school announced ziara as against monotheism and invalid. The first person who ordained prohibition of ziara was Barbahari, a Hanbali scholar of 4th century. After him, ibn Taymiyah and then his student ibn Qayyim, both of Hanbali scholars in 7th and 8th centuries, opposed ziara. Later, beliefs of ibn Taymiyah formed the foundations of the [[Wahhabi]] beliefs and they too opposed ziara of graves and began destroying the graves. | Despite the consensus of Islamic sects regarding permissibility of ziara in general and permissibility ziara of the holy Prophet in particular, a few of the followers of the [[Hanbali]] school announced ziara as against monotheism and invalid. The first person who ordained prohibition of ziara was Barbahari, a Hanbali scholar of 4th century. After him, ibn Taymiyah and then his student ibn Qayyim, both of Hanbali scholars in 7th and 8th centuries, opposed ziara. Later, beliefs of ibn Taymiyah formed the foundations of the [[Wahhabi]] beliefs and they too opposed ziara of graves and began destroying the graves. | ||
Opinion of this group is that ziara of graves is a kind of polytheism and also a heretical innovation. However, ziara would be polytheism if it was not permitted by Islamic law and if the person doing the ziara was doing it with the intention of | Opinion of this group is that ziara of graves is a kind of polytheism and also a heretical innovation. However, ziara would be polytheism if it was not permitted by Islamic law and if the person doing the ziara was doing it with the intention of worshiping the visited. While as explained, permissibility and legitimacy of ziara is quite clear and thus it cannot be regarded as a polytheistic act. In addition, the goal of ziara is to honor and commemorate the deceased. There is no issue of worship so that one might regard it as a polytheistic action. It might be argued that ziara of any grave other than the Prophet’s as a religious act is an innovation. But we can deduce from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah in regard to going to ziara of certain act, and this favorability and permissibility can be generalized to other graves too. From the viewpoint of Sunni scholars, generalization of good deeds even with title of religiously legal is not unfavorable rather it is considered as good innovation and so it is favorable and desirable. Based on this, in accordance to the Sunnis, ziara of graves is regarded as a good innovation and is permissible. The Shi’a viewpoint too is that ziara is Sunnah, not innovation. | ||
The Wahhabis forbid Muslims from visiting graves relying on a narration that says the Messenger of God implored Allah to withhold His Mercy from some Jews and Christians because they made the graves of their Prophet as worshipping places. In response, it has been said that the Islamic purpose of building masjid besides graves of great religious figures is that the pilgrims of graves may perform their obligatory duties and acts there before or after their ziara. In addition, with due attention to the Verse 21 of Surah Kahf it becomes clear that building masjid besides graves is not a sign of polytheism; for, when the story of the companions of the Kahf was divulged monotheism was prevailing. | The Wahhabis forbid Muslims from visiting graves relying on a narration that says the Messenger of God implored Allah to withhold His Mercy from some Jews and Christians because they made the graves of their Prophet as worshipping places. In response, it has been said that the Islamic purpose of building masjid besides graves of great religious figures is that the pilgrims of graves may perform their obligatory duties and acts there before or after their ziara. In addition, with due attention to the Verse 21 of Surah Kahf it becomes clear that building masjid besides graves is not a sign of polytheism; for, when the story of the companions of the Kahf was divulged monotheism was prevailing. | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
Opposers of ziara also cite a narration about [[Ali b. al-Hussain|Imam Sajjad]] seeing a person next to the grave of the Messenger of God and forbidding him to do that, reminding him a hadith from the Prophet in that regard. However, the context of this prohibition shows that this report was about someone who was visiting the grave of the Prophet to excess and was disregarding his other duties. The intent of this prohibition, therefore, was not repudiation of Ziara itself. | Opposers of ziara also cite a narration about [[Ali b. al-Hussain|Imam Sajjad]] seeing a person next to the grave of the Messenger of God and forbidding him to do that, reminding him a hadith from the Prophet in that regard. However, the context of this prohibition shows that this report was about someone who was visiting the grave of the Prophet to excess and was disregarding his other duties. The intent of this prohibition, therefore, was not repudiation of Ziara itself. | ||
Considering Ziara a polytheistic innovation, the Wahhabis destroyed the graves of Baqi’, and they have appealed to the Abu al-Hayyaj hadith which ordains to flatten high graves and to uniform graves. But for citing a hadith as a decree two requisites must be met: The accuracy documentation (chain of narrators and so on) and the signification of the implied. This hadith lacks both requisites. Moreover, for the sake of argument, on the assumption of documentation accuracy of the hadith, high grave means a grave that the highness of the grave itself is in the form of camel humps. The hadith only suggests that if the grave itself is higher than the ground it should become flat and even. | |||
Wahhabis also consider repairing graves, making buildings, shrines, and pariahs over graves, building shades or ceilings, also installing lights or cressets over them, and beautifying Ziara places using gold silver and adornments, as polytheistic deeds and condemn all of them. | Wahhabis also consider repairing graves, making buildings, shrines, and pariahs over graves, building shades or ceilings, also installing lights or cressets over them, and beautifying Ziara places using gold silver and adornments, as polytheistic deeds and condemn all of them. | ||
| Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
About construction of buildings over graves, the practical consensus among Muslims has been such that they have constructed buildings over the graves of religious persons to preserve them from becoming decayed and have regarded this action an example of honoring the religious Sha’aa’ir. About placing ceilings or shades over graves, even if it is considered unfavorable (makruh) in general, still for certain considerations such as saving pilgrims and reciters of the Quran from heat and cold, the karahat is removed. The issue of placing lights is for the same reason, as pilgrims can read Quran and meet their needs under the light. | About construction of buildings over graves, the practical consensus among Muslims has been such that they have constructed buildings over the graves of religious persons to preserve them from becoming decayed and have regarded this action an example of honoring the religious Sha’aa’ir. About placing ceilings or shades over graves, even if it is considered unfavorable (makruh) in general, still for certain considerations such as saving pilgrims and reciters of the Quran from heat and cold, the karahat is removed. The issue of placing lights is for the same reason, as pilgrims can read Quran and meet their needs under the light. | ||
Regarding using gold, silver, and adornments in sacred Ziara places, the Shi’a believe that whenever there is no specific holy command about an act, doing it is permitted. Regarding adorning the graves of great religious leaders «ibahah principle» there is no problem. In addition, if adding gold in a holy place such as Ka’ba and beautifying it with gold and silver and adornments are permitted its permissibility in other worship places can be understood. From historical reports and the text of narrations, it can be realized that the caliphs’ tradition was to venerate the House of God and to beautify it with gold, silver, and adornments, as it was the Prophet’s. Moreover, some of the adornments are used to preserve and distinguish such places. | Regarding using gold, silver, and adornments in sacred Ziara places, the Shi’a believe that whenever there is no specific holy command about an act, doing it is permitted. Regarding adorning the graves of great religious leaders «ibahah principle» there is no problem. In addition, if adding gold in a holy place such as Ka’ba and beautifying it with gold and silver and adornments are permitted, its permissibility in other worship places can be understood. From historical reports and the text of narrations, it can be realized that the caliphs’ tradition was to venerate the House of God and to beautify it with gold, silver, and adornments, as it was the Prophet’s. Moreover, some of the adornments are used to preserve and distinguish such places. | ||
Opposers of ziara also cite a hadith from the Messenger of Allah indicating prohibition of intending to travel to any masjid but the Masjid al-Nabi and Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Aqsa. They believe that it is permissible and even favorable for a Muslim to travel to Medina with intention of performing | Opposers of ziara also cite a hadith from the Messenger of Allah indicating prohibition of intending to travel to any masjid but the Masjid al-Nabi and Masjid al-Haram and Masjid al-Aqsa. They believe that it is permissible and even favorable for a Muslim to travel to Medina with intention of performing salat in Masjid al-Nabi, but it is not permissible to travel with intention of Ziara of the grave of the Prophet or other graves and if the travel is done with the intention of Ziara, that travel is a sin. Even if a person has vowed such a trip, doing it is not incumbent upon that person. In response it has been said that with due attention to the Prophet’s travel to Quba Masjid this prohibition cannot be a forbiddance rather it is an advisory prevention. It means that enduring hardships for traveling to masjid is useless, for, the reward of performing salat in all masjids but the three mentioned Masjids is the same. In any case, this prohibition is not related to the decree for ziara of the grave of the Prophet, such decree is deduced from proofs. | ||
In recent decades, under the influence of Saudi Wahhabism, some in Iran also have presented certain criticism about Ziara and have found some followers too. It is noteworthy to mention that some of their followers, after evaluating the beliefs of these criticizers, have left them expressing regret and criticizing themselves. | In recent decades, under the influence of Saudi Wahhabism, some in Iran also have presented certain criticism about Ziara and have found some followers too. It is noteworthy to mention that some of their followers, after evaluating the beliefs of these criticizers, have left them expressing regret and criticizing themselves. | ||
| Line 64: | Line 64: | ||
Of other examples of oppositions to Ziara permissibility is that after the demise of the holy Prophet he was buried in Aisha’s chamber and none of the companions, for almost a century, ever went to visit his grave, to the point that at time of Umar ibn ‘Abd al-Aziz, while in repairing the prophet’s house, piles of miasmic garbage was accumulated there. But historical evidence shows that contrary to this statement, Ziara of the Prophet was common, as [[Imam Hussain]] went for Ziara of the grave of the Prophet before leaving for [[Karbala]]. In addition, there exist very serious doubts in regard to truthfulness of burying the Prophet in Aisha’s chamber. Also, presence of garbage by the grave of the Messenger of Allah was the result of Banu-Umayya actions from the rulership of [[Mu’awiya]] thenceforth in order to eradicate any trace and sign of the holy Prophet and consequently to extirpate symbols of Islam. | Of other examples of oppositions to Ziara permissibility is that after the demise of the holy Prophet he was buried in Aisha’s chamber and none of the companions, for almost a century, ever went to visit his grave, to the point that at time of Umar ibn ‘Abd al-Aziz, while in repairing the prophet’s house, piles of miasmic garbage was accumulated there. But historical evidence shows that contrary to this statement, Ziara of the Prophet was common, as [[Imam Hussain]] went for Ziara of the grave of the Prophet before leaving for [[Karbala]]. In addition, there exist very serious doubts in regard to truthfulness of burying the Prophet in Aisha’s chamber. Also, presence of garbage by the grave of the Messenger of Allah was the result of Banu-Umayya actions from the rulership of [[Mu’awiya]] thenceforth in order to eradicate any trace and sign of the holy Prophet and consequently to extirpate symbols of Islam. | ||
Another issue set forth in regard to Ziara is the issue of ladies going to ziara. some, by citing certain Sunni narratives, maintain that it is haram. But even with assumption of documentation accuracy of these kinds of narratives, considering the fact that the proofs of Ziara permissibility and the narratives about benefits of Ziara include both men and women, these narratives cannot be taken as the proof of hurmah. Moreover, as mentioned before, [[Fatima]] used to go to graves of Uhud martyrs and the grave of Hamzah. Aisha went for Ziara of her brother ‘Abd al-Rahman too. It has also been narrated from Aisha that she said, one night she followed the Prophet to the Baqi’ cemetery and that when the Prophet realized her presence, he did not disapprove rather he taught her the rules and manners of ziara. Therefore, we should either consider narratives which include prohibition for Ziara for ladies as abrogated or consider the prohibition in such narratives as karahat or consider them for cases where Ziara for ladies necessitates committing sins or acts of haram. | Another issue set forth in regard to Ziara is the issue of ladies going to ziara. some, by citing certain Sunni narratives, maintain that it is haram (forbidden). But even with assumption of documentation accuracy of these kinds of narratives, considering the fact that the proofs of Ziara permissibility and the narratives about benefits of Ziara include both men and women, these narratives cannot be taken as the proof of hurmah (forbiddance). Moreover, as mentioned before, [[Fatima]] used to go to graves of Uhud martyrs and the grave of Hamzah. Aisha went for Ziara of her brother ‘Abd al-Rahman too. It has also been narrated from Aisha that she said, one night she followed the Prophet to the Baqi’ cemetery and that when the Prophet realized her presence, he did not disapprove rather he taught her the rules and manners of ziara. Therefore, we should either consider narratives which include prohibition for Ziara for ladies as abrogated or consider the prohibition in such narratives as karahat or consider them for cases where Ziara for ladies necessitates committing sins or acts of haram. | ||
==Literature of Ziara== | ==Literature of Ziara== | ||
Due to the importance of ziara, Muslim scholars particularly the Shi’a have compiled several writings on the topic. Some of the oldest and most famous are Kamil al-Ziara of ibn Quluway Qummi (d. 368 AH or 369), al-Mazar of Shaykh Mofid (d. 413), al-Mazar of Muhammad ibn Mashhadi (d. 610) and al-Mazar of the First Martyr Muhammad ibn Makki ‘Ameli (d. 786). In addition, a short essay from Rashid al-Din Fazlullah with the title Benefits of Ziara of Mashahid and Turbats of Great personages is at hand. According to his explanation, grounds for writing it was the question of ‘Allamah Helli- who in the year 709 with a group of scholars and government officials was accompanying the compiler during Ziara of Salman- requesting him to explain the effects and benefits of Ziara of graves, with consideration to the departure of spirit from body after death. | Due to the importance of ziara, Muslim scholars particularly the Shi’a have compiled several writings on the topic. Some of the oldest and most famous are Kamil al-Ziara of ibn Quluway Qummi (d. 368 AH or 369), al-Mazar of Shaykh Mofid (d. 413), al-Mazar of Muhammad ibn Mashhadi (d. 610) and al-Mazar of the First Martyr Muhammad ibn Makki ‘Ameli (d. 786). In addition, a short essay from Rashid al-Din Fazlullah with the title Benefits of Ziara of Mashahid and Turbats of Great personages is at hand. According to his explanation, grounds for writing it was the question of ‘Allamah Helli- who in the year 709 with a group of scholars and government officials was accompanying the compiler during Ziara of Salman- requesting him to explain the effects and benefits of Ziara of graves, with consideration to the departure of spirit from body after death. | ||