Question: 

Can a person visit the dead sea?

If one is on a tour group can one come out of the bus or must one remain inside?

Answer: 

Since the Dead Sea surroundings are linked to the Nation of Hadhrat Loot Alaihis Salaam who were its inhabitants and who were destroyed on this very land, we would like to first briefly enlighten you with regards to their destruction on this land to further understand what this land entails.

Allah Ta'aala emphatically states in the Quraan:

۞و لوطا إذ قال لقومه إنكم لتأتون الفاحشة ما سبقكم بها من أحد من العالمين۞ إنكم لتأتون الرجال وتقطعون السبيل وتأتون في ناديكم المنكر ط فما كان جوب قومه إلا أن قالوا ائتنا بعذاب الله إن كنت من الصدقين۞

“And we sent Loot, when he said to his people, "Indeed you engage in obscenity, which none in the universe has indulged in before you. Do you approach men, waylay the highways and perpetrate evil in your gatherings?" The only reply that his people could give was to say, "Bring Allah's punishment to us, if you are from among the truthful." (Surah Al-Ankabut, ayah 28 and 29)

In these Aayaat, mention is made with regards to when Hazrat Loot Alaihis Salaam was sent to preach to his people in a town called Sodom, which was next to the Dead Sea and was the largest of several towns on the bank of the Jordan River. His people were involved in a most evil and immodest act of sin which was sodomy apart from the other sins that they also perpetrated. But since they did not take heed to his warning and continued doing this lewd act and other evils, a severe punishment afflicted them wherein they were all destroyed as is stated in the Quraan:

۞ فلما جاء أمرنا جعلنا عاليها سافلها وأمطرنا عليها حجارة من سجيل منضود مسومة عند ربك ط وما هي من الظلمين ببعيد۞

"So, when our command came, we turned its highest into the lowest and we rained on it stones of hard clay, one over another marked by your Lord. And it is not far from the transgressors." (Surah Hud, ayah 82 and 83)

Thereafter Allah Ta'aala concludes the incident in Ayah 35 of Surah Al-Ankabut, wherein Allah Ta'aala mentions:

۞ ولقد تركنا منها آية بينة لقوم يعقلون ۞

"Indeed, we left behind in those towns a sign which is clear to those who have understanding".

This Ayah demands that those who have understanding and intellect should take lesson from those towns whose inhabitants were destroyed due to their evil doings.

Similarly there are many such incidents mentioned in the Ahaadith wherein Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and the Sahaabah Radhiallahu Anhum passed through such lands while they were on a journey for battle or trade etc. wherein certain nations were destroyed. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam commanded the Sahaabah Radhiallahu anhum to pass quickly and take lesson from their wrong doings in such a place where Allah's Ta'aala punishment struck them, lest Allah's Ta'aala punishment should befall them too.

Hereunder is a Hadith cited from Bukhari educating us on Nabi's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam action in the said situation:

" نع مكبيصي نأ مهسفنأ اوملظ نيذلا نكاسم اولخدت لا :لاق رجلحبا ملسو هيلع الله يلص بينلا رم الم لاق هنع الله يضر رمع نبا ما أصابهم إلا أن تكونوا باكين ثم قنع رأسه وأسرع بالسير حتى جاز الوادي ." )بخاري ٤٤١٩ )

Hazrat Ibn Umar Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that when Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam passed (a valley called) Hijr, He said to the Sahaabah radhiallahu anhum, "do not enter the dwellings of those who oppressed themselves (i.e. those nations who were destroyed due to their evil doings and disobeying their Prophet) lest what afflicted them afflicts you; except (that you pass by in a condition) that you weep, then Nabi  covered his head and passed hastily until he traversed that valley.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللََِّّ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللََُّّ عَنْهُمَا: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللََِّّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَ لَّمَ قَالَ: لاَ تَدْخُلُوا عَلَى هَؤُلاَءِ المعَُذَّبِينَ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونُوا بَاكِينَ، فَإِنْ لََْ تَكُونُوا بَاكِينَ فَلاَ تَدْخُلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ، لاَ يُصِيبُكُمْ مَا أَصَابَهُمْ ) صحيح البخاري ٤٣٣ )

Do not enter (the places) of these people where Allah's punishment had fallen unless you do so weeping. If you do not weep, do not enter (the places of these people) because Allah's curse and punishment which fell upon them may fall upon you.

It is also narrated on the authority of `Abdullāh ibn `Umar radhiallahu anhu:

أَنَّ النَّاسَ نَزَلُوا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللََِّّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَرْضَ ثََوُدَ، الحِجْرَ، فَاسْتَقَوْا مِنْ بِ ئرِهَا، وَاعْتَجَنُوا بِهِ، فَأَمَرَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللََِّّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يهَُرِيقُوا مَا اسْتَقَوْا مِ نْ بِئْرِهَا، وَأَنْ يَعْلِفُوا الإِبِلَ العَجِينَ، وَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَسْتَقُوا مِنَ البِئْرِ الَّتِِ كَانَتْ تَرِدُهَا ال نَّاقَة )صحيح البخاري ٣٣٧٩ )

The people encamped at the land of Thamūd called Al-Hijr along with Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and they took water from its well for drinking and kneading the dough with it as well. (When Allah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم heard about it) he ordered them to pour out the water they had taken from its wells and feed the camels with the dough, and ordered them to take water from the well whence the she-camel (of Prophet Salih ‘alaihis salaam) used to drink.

It is apparent from the above verses and narrations that we are warned from going to such places as well as being involved in these sins. Even if we happen to pass such places then we should do so hastily, since we are reminded in the Quraan and Hadith to take heed and lesson, and reflect over these occurrences.

The Dead Sea now maybe covering or is at least surrounded by the ruins of these towns that were destroyed by Divine Punishment. Therefore, we should refrain from going to such places for spending our leisure time. If you do happen to pass by, it will be better to remain seated in the conveyance, since these places were the manifestations of the anger and curse of Allah Ta'aala, because the people of these lands were destroyed in these very places due to the immoral and illicit activities they perpetrated, thereby earning the anger and wrath of Allah Ta'aala. May Allah save us! Ameen

Furthermore, it is unfortunate and a sad state of affairs that people regard their visit to such places as a tourist attraction and sightseeing; notwithstanding the fact that it holds the anger, curse and wrath of Allah, instead of it being an eye-opener. For it to serve as an eye-opener, a person merely needs to know about it and if you happen to be passing by for some other work then by passing by as Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam would. How daring to go and relax there! How foolish it is that people spend their wealth and leisure and gain pleasure in such places which are void of Allah's mercies and were cursed by Him, thereby earning His anger and displeasure. Is there a shortage of places on the Earth. More so, if people of such high caliber and status like Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and Sahaabah Radhiallahu Anhum took lesson and were so cautious of such places then what makes ordinary people like us so bold as to gain pleasure therein.

We trust and hope that you have understood the severity of the matter and will refrain from going to such places.

May Allah Ta'aala guide us on the straight path and make us please Him in all our actions so that we ultimately earn His pleasure in both the worlds. Aameen.i

AND ALLAH TA'AALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST

ANSWERED BY: Mohmmad Anas Khan 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B. 

Islamic Date:٢١ جمادى الأولى ١٤٤١ 

English Date: 17 January 2020

iوَفِي الحَْدِيثِ الحَْثُّ عَلَى الْمُرَاقَبَةِ وَالزَّجْرُ عَنِ السُّكْنََ فِي دِيََرِ الْمُعَذَّبِينَ وَالْإِسْرَاعُ عِنْدَ الْمُرُورِ بِهَا وَقَدْ أُشِيرَ إِلََ ذَلِكَ فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالََ وَسَكَنْ تُمْ فِي مَسَاكِنِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ كَيْفَ فَعَلْنَا بهم )فتح الباري، رقم ٤٣٣ ، كتاب الصلاة(

* وَكَانُوا أَرْبَعَةَ آلَافِ ثُمَّ قَلَبَهَا فَأَرْسَلَهَا إِلََ الَْْرْضِ مَنْكُوسَةً وَدَمْدَمَ بَعْضَهَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَجَعَ لَ عَالِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا ثمَُّ أَتْبَعَهَا حِجَارَةً مِنْ سِ جيلٍ وَقَالَ مَُُمَّدُ بْنُ كَعْبٍ الْقُرَظِيُّ: كَانَتْ قُرَى قَوْمِ لُوطِ خََْسَ قريَت سدوم وهي العظمى وصعبة وصعود وغمة ودوما احْتَمَلَهَا جِبِْْيلُ بِ نَاحِهِ ثُمَّ صَعِدَ بِهَا حَتَّى إِنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا لَيَسْمَعُونَ نَابَِِةَ كِلَابِهَا وَأَصْوَاتَ دَجَاجِهَا ثُمَّ كَفَأَهَا عَلَى وَجْهِهَا ثمَُّ أَتْبَعَ هَا اللََُّّ بِالحِْجَارَةِ )تفسير ابن كثير، سورة هود، آية ٨٣ )

* وَقَوْلُهُ: وَإِنََّّا لَبِسَبِيلٍ مُقِيمٍ أَيْ وَإِنَّ قَرْيَةَ سَدُومَ الَّتِِ أَصَابَهَا مَا أَصَابَهَا مِنَ الْقَلْبِ الصُّورِ ي وَالْمَعْنَوِ ي وَالْقَذْفِ بِا لحِجَارَةِ، حَتَّى صَارَتْ بَُِيْرَةً مُنْتِنَةً خبيثة بطريق مهيع مسالكه مستمرة إلَ اليوم )تفسير ابن كيير، سورة الحجر، آية ٧٣ - ٧٧ )

* يَنْبَغِي كَرَاهَةُ التَّطْهِيرِ أَيْضًا أَخْذًا مَِِّا ذكََرْنَا وَإِنْ لََْ أَرَهُ لَِْحَدٍ مِنْ أَئِمَّتِنَا بَِِاءٍ أَوْ تُرَابٍ مِنْ كُ ل أَرْضٍ غُضِبَ عَلَيْهَا إلَّا بِئْرَ النَّاقَةِ بَِِرْضِ ثََُودَ ، فَقَدْ صَرَّحَ الشَّافِعِيَّةُ بِكَرَاهَتِهِ وَلَا يبَُاحُ عِنْدَ أَحَْْدَ .قَالَ فِي شَرْحِ الْمُنْتَهَى الحَْنْبَلِ يِ : لحَِدِيثِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ } إنَّ النَّاسَ نَزَلُوا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللََِّّ صَلَّى اللََُّّ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى الحِْجْرِ أَرْضِ ثََُودَ فَاسْتَقَوْا مِنْ آبَارِهَا وَعَجَنُوا بِهِ الْعَجِينَ ، فَأَمَرَهُمْ الرَّسُولُ صَلَّى اللََُّّ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يهُْرِيقُوا مَا اسْتَقَوْا مِنْ آبَارِهَا وَيَعْل فُوا الْإِبِلَ الْعَجِينَ ، وَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَسْتَقُوا مِنْ الْبِئْرِ الَّتِِ كَانَتْ تَرِدُهَا النَّاقَةُ { حَدِيثٌ مُتَّفَقٌ عَ لَيْهِ .قَالَ : وَظَاهِرُهُ مَنْعُ الطَّهَارَةِ بِهِ وَبِئْرُ النَّاقَةِ هِيَ الْبِئْرُ الْكَبِيرَةُ الَّتِِ يَرِدُهَا الحُْجَّ ا فِي هَذِهِ الَْْزْمِنَةِ ا ه ) قَوْلُهُ : وَالِامْتِخَاطُ ( مَعْطُوفٌ عَلَى إلْقَاءٍ ، وَقَوْلُهُ : فِي الْمَاءِ مُتَعَل قٌ بَِِحَدِهَِِا عَلَى التَّنَازُعِ.)رد المحتار ج ١ ص ٢60 دار الكتب العلمية(

* وَرَوَى الحَْاكِم فِي " الْإِكْلِيل " عَنْ أَبِِ سَعِيد الُْْدْرِ ي قَالَ " رَأَيْت رَجُلًا جَاءَ بَِِاتٍََ وَجَدَهُ بِا لحِجْرِ فِي بيُُوت الْمُعَذَّبِينَ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ال نَّ بي صَلَّى اللََّّ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وَاسْتَتَََ بِيَدِهِ أَنْ يَنْظُر إِلَيْهِ وَقَالَ: أَلْقِهِ. فَأَلْقَاهُ " لَكِنَّ إِسْنَاده ضَعِيف ، وَسَيَأْتِِ نََّْيه صَل ى اللََّّ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ يُسْتَقَى مِنْ مِيَاههمْ فِي كِتَاب أَحَادِيث الَْْنْبِ يَاء إِنْ شَاءَ اللََّّ تَعَالََ .)فتح الباري ج ١ ص 6٢٢ دار الحديث(