Visiting the Pyramids in Egypt
QUESTION:-
Is it permissible to visit the Pyramids in Egypt, or is it better to refrain?
ANSWER:-
The pyramids were built as monuments to house the tombs of the Pharaohs. We have been prohibited in the Hadith from building a solid structure around the Qabr. Therefore, building a solid structure, or putting up a tomb, is not permitted for any Muslim person, even though it may be a pious person who is referred to as a Buzurg or Wali. In fact, the Ulama have written that one should be more careful with regards to the Awliya (friends of Allah), as they lived their lives in accordance to the Sunnah and they propagated the Sunnah themselves, hence their graves should not be constructed against the teachings of Shariah. When we have been prohibited from building solid graves and tombs, and visiting graves where a number of incorrect practices are rife, then how can we visit the pyramids where the Kuffar Pharaohs are buried in huge structures? When we have been prohibited from attending the funerals of the non-Muslims and standing at their graves, then how can we visit and stand at their graves (which includes the pyramids) after their demise?
It is recorded on the internet under Britannica.com that the pyramids were built to serve as temples to the gods, and also to entomb the Pharaohs. Whilst visiting the pyramids, tourists are taken for a tour of the valley temple. In other words, these pyramids are related to Kufr, hence, impermissible to visit. Furthermore, tourists are also encouraged to take selfies with the sphinx which is yet another impermissible act. Both taking pictures, and the statues of the sphinx itself, are prohibited in Shariah.
As for the Pharaoh (Minfatah) believed to be Rameses the second, who was drowned in the Red Sea during the time of Moosa Alaihis Salaam, it is believed that his body is preserved and currently on display in the Royal Mummies Chamber in the Grand Egyptian museum which is in Cairo. Any person that intends visiting Cairo will want to visit the museum where his body has been preserved, as well as the Red Sea where he was drowned. Again, this is incorrect, as we have been prohibited from visiting those areas where the Adhaab of Allah Ta’ala had descended.
It is recorded in a narration of Bukhari Sharif that when Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam was proceeding to Tabuk, he passed by the ruins of Hijr (the ruins of the nation of Thamud). Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Do not enter upon those that have been punished except in a condition of crying. If you are not crying, then do not enter upon them, so that you are not afflicted with what had afflicted them.”
It is recorded in another narration that when Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam passed by Hijr, he said, “Do not enter the homes of the wrongdoers, lest that which had afflicted them will afflict you, except that you are crying.” He then covered his head and travelled quickly until he crossed the valley. [Bukhari Sharif Vol: 2 Pg.637] These narrations clearly indicate that we shouldn’t be visiting areas such as the Red Sea, as this area too is amongst the places where the Adhaab of Allah Ta’ala had descended.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجُعْفِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ سَالِمٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ -رضي الله عنهما- قَالَ: لَمَّا مَرَّ النَّبِيُّ -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- بِالْحِجْرِ قَالَ: «لاَ تَدْخُلُوا مَسَاكِنَ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ أَنْ يُصِيبَكُمْ مَا أَصَابَهُمْ إِلاَّ أَنْ تَكُونُوا بَاكِينَ» ثُمَّ قَنَّعَ رَأْسَهُ وَأَسْرَعَ السَّيْرَ حَتَّى أَجَازَ الْوَادِيَ.
وبه قال: (حدّثنا عبد الله بن محمد الجعفي) بضم الجيم وسكون المهملة المسندي بفتح النون قال: (حدثنا عبد الرزاق) بن همام الحافظ أبو بكر الصنعاني قال: (أخبرنا معمر) هو ابن راشد (عن الزهري) محمد بن مسلم بن شهاب (عن سالم) هو ابن عبد الله بن عمر أحد فقهاء التابعين (عن ابن عمر -رضي الله عنهما-) أنه (قال: لما مرّ النبي -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- بالحجر) ديار ثمود بين المدينة والشام في غزوة تبوك (قال) لأصحابه الذين معه:
(لا تدخلوا مساكن الذين ظلموا أنفسهم) بالكفر (أن يصيبكم) بفتح الهمزة مفعولاً له أي مخافة الإصابة أو لئلا يصيبكم (ما أصابهم) من العذاب (إلا أن تكونوا باكين، ثم قنع) بفتح القاف والنون المشدّدة أي ستر -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ- (رأسه) بردائه (وأسرع السير حتى أجاز الوادي) بالجيم والزاي أي قطعه. (ارشاد الساري ص458 ج6)
أن رسول الله -صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قال لأصحابه لما مروا معه بالحجر ديار ثمود في حال توجههم إلى تبوك (قال) لمن معه (ارشاد الساري ص368 ج5)
حدثنا إسماعيل بن عبد الله قال حدثني مالك عن عبد الله بن دينار عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي اعنهما أن رسول قال لا تدخلوا على هؤلاء المعذبين إلا أن تكونوا باكين فإن لم تكونوا باكين فلا تدخلوا عليهم لا يصيبكم ما أصابهم (صحيح البخاري)
Also, it is recorded in the commentary of Bukhari Sharif that when a person travels, as a result, he misses his Jumuah Salaah, congregational Salaah, etc. all without a valid Shari’ee reason, which is sightseeing in this instance. [Re: Ad-Durrul Mandood Vol.5 Pg.520]
The wealth that we have is a blessing of Allah Ta’ala and should be channelled in the correct avenues. Spending our funds in incorrect avenues such as visiting the pyramids, will render us liable in the court of Allah on the day of Qiyaamah. It is recorded in the Hadith Sharif that a person will not be able to proceed on the day of Qiyaamah until he answers five questions. Amongst these questions is, “Where did you did earn your wealth and where did you spend it?”
In conclusion, it will not be permissible to visit the pyramids and its surrounding areas where the punishment of Allah Ta’ala had descended, as it comprises of several wrongs.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:-
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date:- 20 Dhul Qa’dah 1444 / English Date: 10 June 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:-
Mufti Mohammed Desai