Did Ibn Taymiyyah Violate a Scholarly Consensus Regarding His Stance on Not Travelling Solely to Visit the Prophet’s Grave?
Ibn Taymiyyah held that it is forbidden to travel to Madina solely to visit the Prophet’s grave (peace be upon him) grave. He based his reasoning primarily on the following hadith:
”No one should travel except to three: al-Masjid al-Haraam (in Makkah), this masjid of mine (in Madeenah), and al-Masjid al-Aqsaa (in al-Quds/Jerusalem).” [Agreed upon]
And he deduced from the hadeeth that one ought not to travel to any place except these three masjids for religious reasons. Yet, Ibn Taymiyyah did recognize that most people who travel to Madinah intend to travel to the Masjid and, while there, also visit the Prophet’s grave. He had no objection to this (in fact, he recommended it); his objection was mainly against those who intended to travel for the sole purpose of visiting the Prophet’s grave.
This is an issue that Ibn Taymiyyah’s critics attacked him for and continue to do so to date. And in reality, there is no justification for such a harsh backlash, as Ibn Taymiyyah has precedent for his stance.
Brother Alaa’ Abdul Raheem demonstrates this very well in his article. He shows that Ibn Taymiyyah’s understanding of the hadeeth is supported by some companions such as Basrah b. Abi Basrah and Abu Hurayrah. He even cited Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani as attesting to this plausible understanding of their stance. The same goes for the companion Abdullah b. Umar.
Brother Alaa’ proceeds to name scholars from the different madhabs who understood the hadeeth in the same manner from among the Maliki scholars. He also quotes Imam an-Nawawi as reporting a difference of opinion on the matter in the Shafi madhab. He also cites Ibn Battah and Ibn Aqeel from the Hanbali madhab. Moreover, he mentions scholars contemporary to Ibn Taymiyyah who also agreed with him.
In conclusion, one may disagree with Ibn Taymiyyah’s juristic opinion on this matter. But to condemn him for this does not appear to be justified at all.
Allah knows best.
Recommended Reading:
Did Ibn Taymiyyah Violate a Scholarly Consensus Regarding His Stance on Triple Talaq?