Is it appropriate to show respect to holy places?

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is an unsupported claim that some people say, “Objects (things) cannot be holy; it is shirk (polytheism) to show respect to things” as if it is something religious. A flag is made of a piece of fabric but it is a symbol of our freedom and independence.

Similarly, there are so many things that are regarded as symbols in our religious life. For instance, Safa and Marwa are two small hills in Makkah; sa’y is made between them during hajj or umrah. The verse tells us that they are among the symbols of Allah, that is, they remind us of Allah:

اِنَّ الصَّفَا وَالْمَرْوَةَ مِنْ شَعَٓائِرِ اللّٰهِۚ
“Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah.” (al-Baqara, 158)

Incidents related to Hz. Ibrahim, his wife Hagar and his son Ismail took place there. A person who goes there virtually sees those incidents, which took place in the past and which affect our religious life today, in addition to seeing two small hills; he watches them as if on a screen and is affected by them.

Our duty towards the symbols of Allah is to show respect o them. The Quran explains it as follows: 

وَمَنْ يُعَظِّمْ شَعَٓائِرَ اللّٰهِ فَاِنَّهَا مِنْ تَقْوَى الْقُلُوبِ
“…Whoever holds in honor the symbols of Allah, (in the sacrifice of animals), such (honor) should come truly from piety of heart.” (al-Hajj, 32) 

A similar thing can be said for the Hira Cave, Mount Uhud, etc. Hira is the place where the first revelation came to the Prophet. Uhud is the place of the Battle of Uhud. A Muslim who goes there feels more than being in an ordinary cave or a mountain; he is moved and virtually makes a journey in the past.

Nature does not allow any gaps. When we remove what is holy from our life, “things that are not holy” will occupy our life. Such a person sees life as a game and entertainment; he lives without being aware of lofty values. He does not know why he lives and he becomes deprived of the values to which he can devote his life.

Questions on Islam