Answered by Sidi Salman Younas
Question: [1] Is it permissible under the Hanafi madhab for women to visit the graveyard? [2] Every year on my mothers death anniversary my dad makes some sweet food and he distributes it at our local mosque for people to eat and enjoy and to make dua for my mother. Is this ok? It’s not in any way a celebration but to remember my mother and make and receive duas.
Answer: assalamu `alaykum
I pray you are well.
[1] It is permitted for women to visit a graveyard, provided there is (a) no fear of fitna and (b) no wailing or excessive lamenting. [Ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
[2] There is nothing wrong with the practice you described. Rather, it is recommended by the vast majority of scholars to donate reward to the deceased as long as there are no blameworthy or prohibited aspects within the gathering itself. [Ibn Humam, Fath al-Qadir; ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
Wasalam
Salman
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani