Ziyarah of the grave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa Sallam)

Visiting the grave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) – Clarification by ‘Allama Ibn Katheer

Allama Ibn Katheer has written under the aforementioned verse:

Translation: Allah says:  (O Beloved,) if they, having wronged their souls, had come to you imploring the forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) had also asked forgiveness for them, then (owing to this mediation and intercession) they would certainly have found Allah Most Relenting, Ever-Merciful.  Through this verse, Allah is guiding the sinners and transgressors that when they slip up and commit a sin, they should present themselves before the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and should ask for forgiveness there and should request the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) to intercede in their favor.  Because, when they do so, Allah will accept their repentance and will shower His special mercy on them and will forgive their sins.  For this reason, Allah says: the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) had also asked forgiveness for them, then (owing to this mediation and intercession) they would certainly have found Allah Most Relenting, Ever-Merciful.  One section of the scholars and exegetes have opined, among them Shaykh Abu Nasr Bin Sabagh (May Allah shower His mercy on him), who has recorded the anecdote of Hadhrat ‘Utba (May Allah shower His mercy on him), he says:  I was present at the blessed grave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  One Bedouin came, presented his greetings (Salaat) and said: O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), I have heard Allah say (in the Holy Quran):  Surah Nisa-64.  the Bedouin said:  Indeed I have come to you to make you the means for forgiveness of my sins in the court of Allah.  Then he recited the following couplets:

O most distinguished one of the universe

Whose personage the earth has kissed

By your presence, the lands and the mounds have been rendered pure and fragrant

I would sacrifice my life for the sanctuary in which you are there

Which has purity, benevolence and generosity.

Hadhrat ‘Utba (May Allah shower His mercy on him) says:

When that Bedouin returned, I was overcome by sleep.  In a dream, I saw the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and He said:  O ‘Utba!  Meet that Bedouin and give him the glad tidings that Allah has indeed forgiven him.

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 384, Surah Nisa-64; Mo’jam Ibn Asaker, Hadith No. 738; Shu‘abul Iman, Hadith No. 4019; Al Jawahir Ul Ihsaan Li Tafseeril Quran, Surah Nisa -64; Ad Durr Al Manthur, Surah Baqarah-203; Tafseer Bahr Al Muheet, Surah Nisa – 64)

Allah has granted such universal acceptance to these couplets that even today, they are inscribed on the pillars adjacent to the mesh of the sanctuary of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)