Visitation Of Tombs And Pilgrimage In The Sunni Point Of View

Muslims have been visiting the tombs of the righteous since long time ago, and this has become a habit and tradition among Muslims. It is very clear that, covering the distance between the place of accommodation and the tomb is inevitable. Because of this fact the issue of Shadd Rahal, fastening the provisions on the back of camel (getting ready to start a journey) is raised. Almost all of the Sunni scholars despite their different outlooks consider Visitation of tombs and Shadd Rahal legal, emphasizing more on visiting the shrine (Ziyarat) of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H). And some of them even consider it obligatory. We have mentioned some narrations regarding the merits of Visitation of tombs especially the shrine of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H). We have also mentioned recorded instances of visitation of important Sunni figures- politically or religiously famous- to shrine of the righteous especially Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) in the history books. We have pointed to some of the Tawasul (invocation)s done by Sunnis and answered some of doubts casted on Tawasul. Despite the numerous approving narrations, Muslim tradition and consensus on the legitimacy and excellence of visiting the holy shrine of Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H), a few, Ibn Teymieh for instance, have tried to oppose it and have considered this act as polytheism. However, Sunni scholars have given irrefutable answers to them. We have mentioned some of these answers in this writing.