Visiting graves on Fridays

Q 1: I have an enquiry regarding a Hadith ascribed to Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) informing that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever visits the graves of their parents or the grave of any of them every Friday will have their sins forgiven and will be recorded as being dutiful to their parents. Please tell me if there is a specific Du‘a’ (supplication) to be said near the graves of my parents. Should such a visit be paid before Jumu‘ah (Friday) Prayer or after it? Is there another special preferred time for doing this on Fridays?

A: Firstly, the Hadith that is mentioned in the question is very Da‘if (weak) and cannot be used as evidence due to its weakness and non-authenticity. Secondly, visiting graves is Mashru‘ (Islamically permissible) at any time and there is no evidence that allocates Fridays or any other days for doing so. However, it is related by Imam Muslim (may Allah be merciful to him) on the authority of Sulayman ibn Buraydah from his father (may Allah be pleased with them both) (Part No. 9; Page No. 113) that the latter said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to teach them (the Companions) whenever they came to visit the graveyard to say: 'Al-Salamu `ala ahl-al-diyari min-al-mu'minina wa-al-muslimina, wa inna insha'a Allahu bikum lahiqun. As'al-ul-Laha lana wa-lakum-ul- `afiyah [Peace be upon you, O dwellers of the abodes, believers and Muslims; we shall, by the Will of Allah, follow you. I pray to Allah for well-being for ourselves and for you].' Also, it is narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) passed by the graves at Al-Madinah, and turned his face towards them and said, 'Peace be upon you, O dwellers of the graves. May Allah forgive us and you. You have preceded us in death, and we are to follow.' (Related by Al-Tirmidhy who ranked it as Hadith Hasan [good Hadith])May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.