ziyarah

Ziyarat (often rendered ziyārah) is an Arabic term meaning visitation. In Islamic usage it refers to pilgrimages or visits to sacred sites, especially the graves and shrines of prophets, revered figures in the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s family), and other saints or pious individuals, as well as places associated with their lives. Ziyarat is typically voluntary and distinct from the obligatory Hajj and Umrah; it is pursued for spiritual reflection, blessing, and a sense of connection to early Islamic heritage.

Forms and practices vary by tradition. Common elements include traveling to a shrine, praying, reciting Qur’anic verses, and sending blessings to the figures associated with the site. In Shia Islam, there are numerous prescribed ziyarat texts dedicated to the Imams and other holy figures, and large-scale pilgrimages such as Arba’een to Karbala are central forms of communal ziyarat. In Sunni practice, visiting graves is generally permitted and encouraged within certain limits, with etiquette emphasizing sincerity, modesty, remembrance of God, and avoidance of grave-worship or superstitious practices.

Significance and debates surround ziyarat within Islamic jurisprudence and spirituality. Proponents view it as a way to remember mortality, gain moral and spiritual inspiration, and strengthen bonds with the Prophet and the Imams. Critics in some traditions caution against practices they see as seeking intercession beyond God or approaching graves with acts of idolatry. Most scholars endorse ziyarat when performed with reverence, proper intention, and adherence to ethical guidelines.

Notable sites associated with ziayarat include the shrines of Imam Ali in Najaf, Imam Husayn in Karbala, Imam Reza in Mashhad, and Fatimah al-Maʿsumah in Qom, as well as the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. The practice remains widespread across major Islamic regions, shaping religious calendars and pilgrimage networks.