Q 2: Is removing one's shoes in the graveyard an act of Sunnah or Bid`ah (innovation in religion)?

A: Whoever enters the graveyard should remove his shoes, because of the report narrated by Bashir ibn Al-Khasasiyyah who said: While I was walking with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), we saw a man walking in the graveyard with his shoes on. He said: O man, wearing the shoes! Take off your shoes. So the man looked (round), When he recognized the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him), he took them off and threw them away. (Part No. 9; Page No. 124)  Related by Abu Dawud. Imam Ahmad said: The Sanad of the Hadith Bashir ibn Al-Khasasiyyah is good and I would follow it unless there is a reason not to. And the reason referred to by Ahmad (may Allah be merciful to him) is things such as thorns or the ground being too hot to walk on and the like, in which case there is nothing wrong with wearing shoes when walking between the graves, so as to avoid harming oneself.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.