The Ruling on the Recommendation of Performing the Ghusl for the Pilgrimage of the Tombs of the Messenger of God (S) and the Infallible Imams (as)

Visiting the tombs of the Messenger of God (S) and the Infallible Imams (as) is one of the acts of worship for which special rites are stated. One of these rites is the pilgrimage bath (ghusl), about which there are two sayings. Almost all jurists who approve the recommendation of performing ghusl consider the recommendation definite, unanimous, or uncontroversial; while a few jurists find it not recommended. Those who believe in the recommendation cite various proofs, the main of which are narrations. Some of these narrations are for public and their applications indicate the recommendation for performing the ghusl for the pilgrimage of the tombs of the Infallibles (as). However, another part of the narrations are specific and either state the tradition of performing the ghusl for the pilgrimage of the tombs of the Messenger of God (S) and the Infallible Imams (as), or they recommend the performing of guhsl before the pilgrimage – of the tomb of a particular Infallible (as) –  from far distance or in person. The second reason for those who believe in the recommendation of performing ghusl is the sirah of the Infallibles (as) and that of the Sharia followers connected to the age of the Infallibles (as). On the contrary, there is a rare saying that performing the ghusl of pilgrimage is not recommended and it does not find the proof for the recommendation to be complete. It seems that the proofs of the recommendation of performing the ghusl of pilgrimage are complete, and it is recommended for the pilgrimage of the Infallibles’ shrines.