Q: Is it recommended to visit the grave of the Prophet ﷺ? Does this include traveling for that purpose? A: Yes. According to the authoritative works of the Hanbali school, it is recommended (mustaḥabb) to visit the grave of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, as well as the graves of his two Companions, Abū Bakr and ʿUmar (رضي الله عنهما). This recommendation applies generally, and is especially emphasized for those who have completed the Ḥajj, as this commonly coincides with travel to t

Q: Is my prayer valid if the Imam makes minor recitation mistakes while leading the prayer? A: Prayer is valid behind someone who makes many pronunciation mistakes (laḥn) so long as those mistakes do not alter the meaning—such as giving the dāl of al-ḥamdu a kasrah, pronouncing the hāʾ of Allāh with fatḥah or ḍammah, placing fatḥah on the bāʾ of Rabb, and similar errors. This ruling applies whether the follower makes similar mistakes or does not make such mistakes at all, be

Q: What is the ruling on tawassul (seeking a means) in duʿāʾ? A: Tawassul in duʿāʾ through a righteous person is permissible, and some scholars of the Hanbali school held that it is recommended. Imām Aḥmad stated in his Manāsik, which he wrote to al-Marrūdhī, that he himself performs tawassul through the Prophet ﷺ in his supplications. Accordingly, when one calls upon Allah ﷻ, it is valid to say: “O Allah, I ask You by Your Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ,” intending thereby to seek Allah