What is the ruling on visiting graves?

Visiting graves is a sunnah, a recommended practice for men, by the consensus of scholars. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded it and practiced it himself, for the purpose of remembering the Hereafter, learning from death, and supplicating for the deceased. However, if the grave is so far from one's town that it necessitates travel, then visiting it is not legislated; rather, it is forbidden.