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Is the act of a woman who used oil from the tomb of a pious saint for healing her weak eyesight, based on her ignorance, considered an act of disbelief (kufr) that requires her to perform ghusl (ritual bathing) and pronounce the two testimonies (Shahadatayn) anew?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If a woman seeks blessings from oil at the tomb of a righteous man, without supplicating him or seeking healing from him, this is a reprehensible innovation (bid'ah munkarah) from which one must repent. However, if she seeks healing or blessings from the deceased, this is polytheism (shirk). Seeking blessings from the dust of the tombs of prophets or saints is forbidden, but it does not reach the level of major disbelief (kufr akbar). She must repent to Allah. Building over graves, or asking the dead, or seeking blessings from the dust of the grave, or kissing the grave, or praying at it are innovations. As for seeking blessings, intercession, or healing from them, this is major polytheism (shirk akbar). Taking dust from graves for healing is an innovation and misguidance, and healing comes from Allah alone. Seeking blessings from the dwellers of graves is polytheism against Allah, and seeking their aid (istighathah) or healing from them is major polytheism. As for seeking intercession with Allah by their right, or their status, or their essence, this is among the forbidden innovations and means to major polytheism.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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