Is it permissible to walk with shoes between graves?

The majority of scholars hold the view that it is permissible to walk with sandals in cemeteries, citing the hadith of Anas: "Indeed, when a servant is placed in his grave and his companions turn away from him, he hears the sound of their sandals." However, Imam Ahmad disliked walking with Sibtian sandals in cemeteries, basing his view on the hadith: "O owner of the two Sibtian sandals, woe to you, cast off your two Sibtian sandals." Al-Khattabi explained the dislike by stating that it is due to the pride (khuyala') associated with them, and that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, preferred entry into cemeteries to be in a state of humility. According to Ahmad, the dislike is removed if there is a valid excuse, such as thorns or impurity.