precept or pilgrimage. To collect all such traditions willmake a voluminous book. Throughout the history of Islam, our great scholars, and all groups of Muslims have done that with much care, and books are written about the adventures of their pilgrimages.

It is evident that no one takes his visiting a tomb forworship, which belongs only to God. The purpose ofvisiting the tomb of a great man is to respect him andto pay regards, and meanwhile seeking theirin tercession.

It is also narrated that even the prophet himselfoften went to visit the CEMETERY OF BAGHEEAand saluted the deads in their graves. Therefore noone should doubt the lawfulness of such pilgrimages inIslam.

27 THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE MOURNING CEREMONIES

WE BELIEVE that the mourning ceremonies, forthe martyrs, specially the MARTYRS OF KARBALA will serve to maintain the monument of such dear ones, and keep us aware of their self sacrifices for the