Do the pilgrims have to visit the grave of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and Baqee’, Uhud and Quba’?

Praise be to Allah.

It is not obligatory for the pilgrims, men or women, to visit the grave of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) or al-Baqee’, rather it is haram to travel with the purpose of visiting graves in general, and visiting graves is haram for women even if they do not travel for that purpose, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No journey should be undertaken for the purpose of visiting any mosques except three: my mosque, al-Masjid al-Haram and al-Masjid al-Aqsa.” Agreed upon. And because he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed the women who visit graves. It is sufficient for women to pray in al-Masjid al-Nabawi, and to send many blessings upon the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the mosque and elsewhere. 

And Allah is the Source of strength. May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote. 

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allah ibn Baz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allah ibn Ghadyaan.