(243) Chapter: The Obligation of Supplicating Allah to Exalt His Mention and its Excellence, and its Manner

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not make my grave a place of festivity, and supplicate Allah for me, for your supplication reaches me wherever you are." [Abu Dawud]. Commentary: "Do not make my grave a place of festivity'' means do not gather there as people do on the festival of `Eid. Unfortunately, a fraction of heretics consider such festivities laudable. When the Prophet (PBUH) did not like such gatherings on his own grave, how can it be permissible on the death anniversaries of other people? Some people misinterpret this Hadith and contend that what it means is that `You should not come to my grave once in a while but very frequently'' although its real meaning is that which we have just mentioned. The next sentence confirms this contention. There is no need for frequent gathering for the reason that wherever a Muslim may be, the salutations which he performs to the Prophet (PBUH) will be conveyed to him through the angels. Every Muslim has a desire to visit the Prophet's grave, and there cannot be any doubt about its desirability, but there is no need to undertake journey for paying homage and salutation only. In fact, the real intention of going to Al-Madinah should be to visit Prophet's Mosque which will include visiting his grave. This is the real meaning of this Hadith. There is another Hadith which prohibits undertaking a journey to any mosque except the three which have been marked by the Prophet (PBUH).