Debate Reading | Is Reciting Ziyarat Aloud Near the Prophet’s (PBUH) Tomb Disrespectful?

According to the Fikr va Farhang Moballegh website, the book "One Hundred and One Interesting and Readable Debates" by Mohammad Mohammadi Eshtehardi has compiled various debates on doctrinal and religious issues, which Hawzeh News will publish in various issues.

According to Hawzeh’s narration, one of the Shiite scholars said: "I went with a group of about fifty people to Masjid al-Nabawi (PBUH) in Medina. There, next to the noble tomb of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), we were engaged in reciting Ziyarat. A discussion arose regarding reciting Ziyarat loudly next to the Prophet’s (PBUH) grave."

Sanctuary Manager: (Sheikh Abdullah bin Saleh) came to me and protested, saying: "Do not raise your voice next to the noble tomb of the Prophet (PBUH)."

Shiite Scholar: What is the obstacle? Is there a problem?

Sanctuary Manager: Allah says in the Quran (Surah Hujurat, verse 2):

"O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet or be loud to him in speech like the loudness of some of you to others, lest your deeds become worthless while you perceive not."

Shiite Scholar: Ja’far ibn Muhammad (PBUH) [Imam Sadiq (AS)] had four thousand students in this very place and would raise his voice to reach his students during teaching; was he committing a forbidden act? Abu Bakr and Umar used to deliver sermons loudly in this mosque, and the Takbir-reciters would say Takbir loudly; were they committing a forbidden act? And currently, your preacher delivers sermons loudly, and the Takbir-reciters say Takbir loudly; are they acting against the Quran? For the Quran states: "O believers! Do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet."

Sanctuary Manager: So what is the meaning of this verse?

Shiite Scholar: The meaning refers to useless and unnecessary noises that are against discipline and etiquette in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). As stated in the occasion of this verse’s revelation: "A group from the Bani Tamim tribe and their nobles entered the mosque and shouted from behind the rooms where the Prophet (PBUH) resided: ‘O Muhammad! O Muhammad! Come out to us!’"¹

Another issue is that we recite Ziyarat with utmost humility and respect. By carefully examining the above verse, we understand that those who intend to insult with their loud voices, or whose voice quality is insulting, are covered by this verse. Because the verse speaks of "habt al-a’mal" (nullification of good deeds), and such a punishment pertains to an infidel, a major sin, and insult, not to us who recite Ziyarat respectfully, even if our voices are slightly loud.

Based on this, it is narrated: When the above verse was revealed, Thabit ibn Qays, the Prophet’s (PBUH) orator, who had a resonant voice, said: "It was I who raised my voice louder than the Prophet’s (PBUH) voice; I am the one meant by the verse; woe to me, for my good deeds have been nullified!" This statement reached the Prophet (PBUH). He said: "It is not so; Thabit ibn Qays is among the people of Paradise." (Because he was performing his duty, not intending to insult.)²

Narrator: The sanctuary manager remained silent and said nothing further.

Footnotes:

Tafsir al-Qurtubi, vol. 9, p. 6121 – Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 6, p. 172.
Majma’ al-Bayan, vol. 9, p. 130 – Tafsir Fi Zilal and Maraghi, regarding the above verse.