What Are the Rulings on Women Attending Visitations, Funerals, and Burials?
Question
Can you please provide the rulings on women attending visitation, funerals, and burials?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
This issue requires distinguishing carefully between visiting the deceased, attending the funeral prayer, and accompanying the burial, while reconciling the prophetic narrations that at first glance may appear different. The scholars addressed this matter with nuance, mercy, and balance.
1. The Shar‘i Context
Islam recognizes the emotional nature of women and seeks to protect them from harm, excessive grief, and actions that contradict patience. At the same time, Islam does not exclude women from acts of remembrance, du‘a, or honoring the deceased.
Allah says:
“And give glad tidings to the patient, those who, when calamity strikes them, say: Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.”
Surat al Baqarah 2:155–156
The rulings in this topic revolve around maintaining sabr, avoiding prohibited mourning practices, and preserving dignity.
2. Women Visiting the Deceased and Grave Visitation
The Prophet initially discouraged grave visitation for both men and women, then later permitted it.
He said:
“I had forbidden you from visiting graves, but now visit them, for they remind you of the Hereafter.”
Sahih Muslim
Regarding women specifically, the Prophet said:
“Allah cursed the women who frequently visit graves.”
Reported by Tirmidhi and others
The scholars reconciled these narrations by explaining that:
- The prohibition applies to frequent visitation
- Or visitation accompanied by wailing, impatience, or prohibited acts
The majority of scholars held that occasional grave visitation by women is permissible, provided there is no fitnah, wailing, or unlawful behavior, while frequent visitation is discouraged.
3. Women Attending the Funeral Prayer
There is no prohibition against women attending the funeral prayer.
The wives of the Prophet and female companions attended funerals and prayed over the deceased. The funeral prayer consists of du‘a and remembrance, and there is no evidence prohibiting women from participating.
Thus, attending the funeral prayer is permissible for women, with the condition of proper conduct and modesty.
4. Women Accompanying the Burial to the Graveyard
A report from Umm ‘Atiyyah states:
“We were forbidden from following funeral processions, but the prohibition was not strictly enforced upon us.”
Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
The scholars understood this narration to mean:
- It is not haram according to the majority
- The discouragement is due to fear of emotional distress or prohibited mourning
The dominant view is that it is Allowed and not forbidden, unless it involves wailing or lack of restraint.
5. Relevant Usul Principle
درء المفاسد مقدم على جلب المصالح
Preventing harm takes precedence over bringing benefit.
The discouragement of women accompanying burials aims to prevent emotional harm and prohibited mourning, not to exclude women from remembrance or du‘a.
And also:
الأحكام تدور مع عللها
Rulings revolve around their effective causes.
When the cause, such as fear of fitnah or loss of restraint, is absent, the ruling is lighter.
Final Ruling
Women are permitted to attend visitations and the funeral prayer.
Women may visit graves occasionally for remembrance and du‘a, provided there is no wailing, frequent visitation, or unlawful behavior.
Following the funeral procession to the graveyard and attending the burial is permissible on Modest conduct according to the majority of scholars, unless it involves prohibited mourning, in which case it becomes impermissible.
And Allah knows best.