And visiting graves without undertaking a journey to them is one matter; undertaking a journey solely to visit them is another. The Shaykh does not prohibit visits that involve no such journey; rather, he considers them recommended and encourages them. His books and manuals of pilgrimage rites bear witness to this. In his fatwa, the Shaykh did not address such visits, declare them sinful, or report a consensus prohibiting them. Nothing is hidden from Allah, glorified and exalted be He.

When the aforementioned judge’s written statement reached Egypt, much controversy arose and the turmoil intensified. The judges there were summoned, and they gathered and deliberated. Some recommended imprisoning the Shaykh, and the Sultan ordered it. What has already been recounted then took place. Afterwards, other events befell those involved in this case, which cannot be related here.

The Shaykh’s answer to this question reached the scholars of Baghdad. They rose to his defence and wrote expressing their agreement with him. I have seen their statements in their own handwriting.

The following is a copy of what they wrote: