Does our annual visit to the tomb of our righteous saintly grandfather—150 km away—where we slaughter animals, recite the Quran, and supplicate for him and his neighbors, contradict Islamic law? Is slaughtering there considered an offering to idols, and is that visit polytheism? And is it obligatory to undertake a journey to visit the grave of a father buried in the same cemetery?

Visiting graves is a Sunnah (definition), and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded it after having forbidden it. Slaughtering at graves is impermissible if it is done in veneration of their occupants, as this is major shirk (definition), and it is not permissible to eat from such offerings. However, if the slaughtering is for the living near graves, some scholars have deemed it reprehensible. Gathering at graves every year is a custom that goes against the guidance of the Salaf and involves innovations. It is not obligatory to undertake a journey (شد الرحال) to visit a father's grave; rather, what is obligatory is to supplicate for him, seek forgiveness for him, maintain ties of kinship on his behalf, and give charity on his behalf.