A Critical Assessment of Wahabi Viewpoint on Illegality of Travelling to Visit the Graves of Divine Leaders

Ziyārah or Ziyarat is an Arabic term which literally means "visit", and is used to refer to a form of pilgrimage to sites associated with the Prophet of Islam (s) his family members and descendants including the Shi'i Imams and other venerated figures in Islam. Wahhabis in principle accept visitation of graves considering it as a Sunnah of the Prophet (S) but they believe that embarking on a journey to visit the graves is an innovation. Their main reference is the shadd al-rihal tradition which means undertaking a pilgrimage. According to the tradition, setting out on a journey is allowed only to the three mosques. Wahhabis are of the view that the word "place" is included in the exception even though it is not mentioned explicitly. Hence, visitation of all journeys is forbidden, whereas, in fact, masjid (mosque) is the mustasna minhu (antecedent in exceptive sentences) in this tradition and it has nothing to do with other journeys. The traditions narrated through Sunni reports make mention of this mustasna minhu and Sunni scholars have alluded to the permissibility of setting out on a journey to visit graves.