The majority held that visiting the graves of believers is recommended in order to supplicate for the dead and greet them with peace, as “the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would go out to al-Baqīʿ and supplicate for them.” Likewise, it is authentically reported of him, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the two Sahīhs that “he went out to the martyrs of Uhud and prayed over them as he prayed over the dead, as though bidding farewell to the living and the dead.”
It is also authentically reported in the Sahīh that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “used to teach his Companions, when visiting graves, to say: ‘Peace be upon you, believing inhabitants of these abodes. We shall, if Allah wills, join you. May Allah have mercy on those of us and of you who have gone before, and those who come later. We ask Allah for well-being for ourselves and for you. O Allah, do not deprive us of our reward on their account, do not put us to trial after them, and forgive us and them.’”
This concerns visiting the graves of believers. As for visiting a disbeliever’s grave, permission has been given for this as a reminder of the Hereafter, but it is not permissible to ask forgiveness for them. It is authentically reported in the two Sahīhs that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “visited his mother’s grave and wept, causing those around him to weep. He said: ‘I asked my Lord’s permission to visit her grave, and He permitted me. I asked His permission to seek forgiveness for her, but He did not permit me. So visit graves, for they remind you of the Hereafter.’”
The scholars who disagree each appeal to evidence from revelation, and some possess knowledge that others do not—for the scholars are the heirs of the prophets. Allah Most High said:
“And David and Solomon, when they gave judgment concerning the field into which the people’s sheep had strayed by night; We were witness to their judgment.”
“We gave Solomon understanding of the case, and to each We gave sound judgment and knowledge.”