Title: Women Visiting Graveyards Question: Is it permitted for women to go to graveyards to visit their deceased relatives etc.? And may a wife see her dead husband's face before he is buried? I thank you in advance and look forward to hearing from you soon. Wassalam , Khan Denmark Answer: Even though there is a narrative ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) reported in Tirmidhi , according to which the Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have condemned women visiting the graveyard, yet Muslim scholars have generally interpreted the directive implied in this narrative as one of a temporary nature. The implied restriction was later removed. It seems that the temporary restriction was imposed to allow women the time to unlearn the condemnable traditions of the pre-Islamic times, when women would wail in the graveyards. This wailing of the women is against the spirit and values of the Islamic teachings and was, therefore, not approved by the Prophet (pbuh). The Shari`ah does not hinder women from visiting the graves of their dead relatives. They may go the graveyards and pray for their deceased relatives in a composed and controlled manner. A wife may see her dead husband's face before he is buried. The concept that the husband is Mehram for the wife, as long as he lives and becomes a non-Mehram after death, has absolutely no basis in the teachings of the Shari`ah . It may come as a surprise for some to know that the caliph Abu Bakr (ra) was bathed after his death by his wife. I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad September 8, 2001