empty of people, so it is feared that if a woman goes out there the foolish among men may follow her, bringing about the very harm and temptation that must be avoided. For this reason the Prophet cursed women who visit graves. However, if a woman happens to pass by a cemetery without having set out expressly to visit, there is no objection to her pausing to offer greetings of peace and make supplication as a man would; the decisive factor is deliberate intent versus mere coincidence.
Let it also be known that, regardless of the amount of righteousness and piety a person buried there may have attained, the inhabitants of the graves possess no ability to benefit or harm themselves—much less anyone else. Therefore supplication is made for them, not to them: prayers are offered on their behalf, just as the Prophet prayed for them, while they themselves do not pray for others because they can provide no benefit. Allah the Exalted says, “And who is more astray than one who calls upon, apart from Allah, those who will not answer him until the Day of Resurrection, while they are unaware of their supplication? And when mankind is gathered, they will be enemies to them and will reject their worship.” ⦗46:5-6⦘ And He also says, “Those whom you invoke besides Him do not possess even the thin membrane of a date-stone. If you call upon them, they do not hear your supplication; and were they to hear, they could not respond to you. On the Day of Resurrection they will disown your association. None can inform you like the All-Aware.” ⦗35:13-14⦘
Regarding the other traditions the author mentions, the foremost is the hadith of Abu Hurayrah in which the Prophet said, “Shall I inform you—or tell you—of what Allah uses to erase sins and raise ranks?” The narrator introduced it as a question so that the listener would pay close attention, for the matter is significant. He said, “Shall I inform you of that by which Allah wipes away sins and elevates ranks?” They replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Perfecting wuduʾ (ritual ablution) despite difficulties, and frequently taking steps to…"