Women, because of the natural tenderness in their hearts, are more readily stirred to fresh grief, sorrow, and tears when calamities are recalled, and they may at times behave in ways that conflict with the patience that is religiously required.

In view of these texts and considerations, some leading scholars have ruled that it is forbidden for women to visit graves, not merely disliked.

Al-Ikhtiyārāt states: “The outward sense of Abū al-‘Abbās’s words supports prohibition, for he adduces the Prophet’s ﷺ curse on women who visit graves and deems the report authentic.”

Benefit

According to the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah, the rūḥ (spirit) is the rational, speaking soul capable of articulation and comprehension; it does not perish when the body perishes. After departing the body it remains, enjoying bliss or suffering torment, and at times it reconnects with the body so that the body shares in that bliss or torment.

Shaykh al-Islām said: “Numerous reports affirm that the deceased is informed of the circumstances of his family and companions in this world; such matters are presented to him, and he rejoices at what is good and is grieved by what is bad.”

Other reports indicate that the dead meet one another and converse, gathering—if Allah so wills—just as they gathered in this life, though their ranks differ, whether their graves on earth are far apart or close together. The deceased recognises his visitor on Friday before sunrise.

Al-Ghunyah adds: he recognises the visitor at all times, though that particular time is emphatically confirmed. Allah knows best.