women visiting graves, forms of temptation, indecency, and corruption that do not occur at all when they accompany funeral processions. All this shows that women’s visiting graves generally entails greater harm than their accompanying funeral processions. Even if the injunction against accompanying funeral processions merely indicates disapproval, this does not preclude the injunction against visiting graves from indicating prohibition. This is because preventing a woman from accompanying a funeral procession may be impossible owing to her overwhelming grief, just as calming women may also be impossible for the same reason. If a concession is made because this motivating impulse is so strong, it does not follow that a concession must also be made where the impulse is not strong. If Allah Most High pardons His servant for something he cannot refrain from without great hardship, it does not follow that He will pardon him for something he can refrain from without having to endure that hardship.

The fourth argument:

It may be said that it has been reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, through two chains of transmission that he cursed women who visit graves. Abū Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—reported:

“The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed women who visit graves.”

This was narrated by Imam Ahmad, Ibn Mājah, and al-Tirmidhī, who graded it authentic. Ibn ‘Abbās—may Allah be pleased with them both—reported:

“The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed women who visit graves and those who establish mosques over them and place lamps upon them.”

This was narrated by Imam Ahmad, Abū Dāwūd, al-Nasā’ī, and al-Tirmidhī, who graded it good; some copies record his grading as authentic. Ibn Mājah also narrated the portion mentioning visits to graves.