Egypt's Mufti, Shawqi Allam, clarified the religious ruling regarding visiting the shrines of the righteous and "Ahl al-Bayt" (the family of the Prophet Muhammad) and praying there. During his daily Ramadan program "Ask the Mufti," Shawqi Allam stated: "Visiting the graves of the family of the Prophet and the righteous is among the most accepted acts of worship by the Lord of all creation and is akin to being in the company of the righteous. In general, visiting graves is recommended by Islamic law."
He added, "The Prophet Muhammad encouraged visiting graves, and after the Prophet, the graves of Ahl al-Bayt are the most deserving of visits." He continued, "Their graves are gardens from the gardens of paradise, and in visiting them and showing affection towards them, we fulfill a bond with the Messenger of God... as Allah the Almighty said: (Say, 'I do not ask of you any reward for it except for love of family')."
