Question:

The shirt of Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (a.s.) healed the blindness of the Prophet Yaqub (Jacob) (a.s.). Is there any benefit (either spiritual or physical) to kissing the graves of the Imams (a.s.) or any of the Prophets (a.s.)? If so, is this a form a shirk (polytheism)? If not, then why do we kiss the graves, and how do you reconcile the fact that the shirt of Prophet Yusuf (a.s) had healing properties?

Answer:

As you indicated in your question, the material objects related to the holy Trustees of God may be given a special significance by Allah (swt), and so kissing the graves or shrines of the Imams (a.s) or the Prophet (saw) can allow us to benefit from these blessings. This is not a form of shirk, because kissing or holding the shrines or graves is not worshipping the graves or the owners of the graves, rather, it is trying to benefit from the holiness bestowed on the buried ma’sum (sinless person) and his grave by Allah (swt). In particular, we have numerous narrations regarding the holiness of the soil of Karbala and the abundant blessings that can be gained from it.

Answered by: Dr Ali Alsamail
Certified by: Sheikh Mansour Leghaei