and it is well known that each gate is opened only once.

They also argue that there is no clear criterion here distinguishing what is forbidden from what is not, whereas the curse explicitly indicates prohibition.

Some of them maintain that the same applies to following funeral processions. They cite reports containing stern warnings against it, such as the Prophet’s words (peace and blessings be upon him):

“Go back, bearing sin rather than reward, for you tempt the living and distress the dead.”

And his words to Fātimah (may Allah be pleased with her):

“Indeed, had you accompanied them as far as the graveyard, you would not enter Paradise until such and such came to pass.”

These two reports are supported by what is authentically established in the two Sahīh collections:

“He forbade women to follow funeral processions.”

As for Umm ‘Atiyyah’s statement, “But this was not strictly imposed upon us,” she may have meant that he did not emphasize the prohibition, which does not rule out its being forbidden. Or she may herself have supposed that the prohibition did not render it unlawful. The authoritative evidence, however, lies in the Prophet’s words (peace and blessings be upon him), not in someone else’s supposition.

The fifth response:

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained that men were permitted to visit graves because doing so reminds them of death, softens the heart, and brings tears to the eyes. This is how it is reported in the Musnad of Ahmad. It is well known that if this door is opened to a woman, it leads her to anguish, lamentation, and wailing, because of her weakness, frequent anguish, and limited patience. Moreover, this causes the deceased to be distressed by her weeping and men to be tempted