Title: Regarding Graves of Saints... Question: Whether visiting Durgahs (Umrah) and faith on Auliyaas is a sin or allowed? Answer: Before I answer your specific question, I would like to clarify that `umrah is a form of Islamic worship, prescribed by God, it should not be compared to visiting Durgahs [graves of saints]. Visiting Durgahs , if not done with any religious reverence or veneration, is not prohibited per se . However, in view of the extreme reverence that such places have acquired in the eyes of the common Muslim, I do not like to visit these places and, for the same reason, would not recommend doing so either. As far as the second part of your question, regarding 'faith in auliyaas ' is concerned, you will have to clarify the phrase 'faith in auliyaas ' to enable me to answer this question. In any case, there is no such thing as 'faith in auliyaas ' recommended or even recognized by Islam. Moreover, the fact that a particular person can be labeled as a ' wali ' (singular of ' auliyaa ') is also something, which can only be decided by the All-knowing. We have neither the absolute knowledge (about the person concerned) nor any reason to label anyone a ' wali ' of God. 22 nd January 2000