Excerpt from: "Aina-e-Tawheed wa Sunnat – Jawab 'Shirk Kya Hai?' Maʿa Haqiqat-e-Bidʿat" by Shaykh Abu Hudhaifah Muhammad Javed Salafi
﴿وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ﴾
"Whatever the Messenger gives you—take it. And whatever he forbids you from—refrain from it. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment."
Surah al-Hashr: 7
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوا أَعْمَالَكُمْ﴾
"O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds."
Surah Muhammad: 33
((لا يُجَصَّصُ القبرُ، وأن يُقعَدَ عليه، ولا يُبنى عليه))
"The grave should not be plastered, nor should one sit on it, nor should anything be built over it."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Funerals, ḥadīth 970
((نهى رسولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أن تُجَصَّصَ القبورُ، وأن يُكتَبَ عليها))
"The Prophet ﷺ prohibited the plastering of graves and placing inscribed plaques on them."
Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Book of Funerals, ḥadīth 1052
Do those who claim love for the Prophet ﷺ truly obey him in this matter?
((ألا وإن من كان قبلكم كانوا يتخذون قبور أنبيائهم وصالحيهم مساجد، ألا فلا تتخذوا القبور مساجد، فإني أنهاكم عن ذلك))
"Indeed, those before you used to take the graves of their prophets and righteous ones as places of worship. Beware! Do not turn graves into mosques—I strictly forbid you from doing so."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Mosques, ḥadīth 532
Are mosques not being built over graves today?
Is this not a direct contradiction of the Prophet's ﷺ command?
((لعن اللهُ اليهودَ والنصارى اتخذوا قبورَ أنبيائِهم مساجد))
"May Allah curse the Jews and Christians—they took the graves of their prophets as places of worship."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Funerals, ḥadīth 1330
((نهى رسولُ اللهِ أن يُبنى على القبرِ، ويُزاد عليه، ويُجصص عليه))
"The Prophet ﷺ forbade building over graves, raising them, and plastering them."
Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Book of Funerals, ḥadīth 2027
"The Prophet ﷺ cursed women who frequently visit graves, those who build mosques upon them, and those who light lamps upon them."
Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Book of Ṣalāh, ḥadīth 320
Are not such acts being carried out openly today at grave festivals and mausoleums?
People celebrate with music and drums at graves—yet the Prophet ﷺ said:
((إن ربي تبارك وتعالى حرَّم عليَّ الخمرَ والكوبةَ والقنين))
"Verily, my Lord has made wine, drums (kūbah), and flutes unlawful to me."
Musnad Aḥmad 3/422
Another narration:
((حرِّمتِ الخمرُ والميسرُ والكوبةُ))
"Wine, gambling, and drums are all forbidden."
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Book of Drinks, ḥadīth 3696
Are not such festivals open defiance of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ?
ʿAlī رضي الله عنه said to me:
"Shall I not send you on the same mission that the Prophet ﷺ sent me on? Do not leave any image without erasing it, and do not leave any elevated grave without leveling it."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, vol. 2, ḥadīth 969
Objection:
If building over graves is forbidden, then why is there a structure and green dome over the Prophet’s ﷺ grave?
Response 1:
The Prophet ﷺ had unique rulings. Upon his passing, some suggested burying him near the pulpit, others in al-Baqīʿ. Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: A Prophet is buried where he dies.”
Thus, he was buried in ʿĀ’ishah’s chamber.
Muwaṭṭa’ Mālik, Book of Funerals
That room was originally for residence, not to house a grave.
Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها said:
"Were it not for the fear that the grave would be taken as a place of prostration, it would have been placed in an open area."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth 1330
Response 2:
The green dome was not built by the Prophet ﷺ, nor by the Companions. According to Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi:
"The green dome was built in 678 AH by Sultan Qalāwūn al-Ṣāliḥī."
Jā’ al-Ḥaqq, vol. 2, p. 285
A king's action is not Sharʿī evidence. Only the Prophet’s ﷺ commands and the actions of the Companions are valid proofs.
Even the statement of a Companion cannot override a muttasil marfūʿ hadith (directly reported from the Prophet ﷺ).
O Muslims! For Allah’s sake, reflect!
Stop blindly following scholars. Study Qur'an and Hadith yourself.
Adopt only that path which aligns with divine revelation.
Remove the veil of prejudice and fear Allah.
Join the ranks of the truthful—for in that lies success.
"If you are truly Muslim, instill in your heart the majesty of the Qur'an.
Drink the wine of maʿrifah and awaken the vision of ʿirfān."
❖ Qur’anic Command to Follow the Messenger ﷺ
﴿وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ﴾
"Whatever the Messenger gives you—take it. And whatever he forbids you from—refrain from it. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is severe in punishment."
Surah al-Hashr: 7﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبْطِلُوا أَعْمَالَكُمْ﴾
"O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your deeds."
Surah Muhammad: 33❖ The Prophet ﷺ Prohibited Construction Over Graves
✦ Sayyidunā Jābir رضي الله عنه reported:
((لا يُجَصَّصُ القبرُ، وأن يُقعَدَ عليه، ولا يُبنى عليه))
"The grave should not be plastered, nor should one sit on it, nor should anything be built over it."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Funerals, ḥadīth 970✦ Another narration:
((نهى رسولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أن تُجَصَّصَ القبورُ، وأن يُكتَبَ عليها))
"The Prophet ﷺ prohibited the plastering of graves and placing inscribed plaques on them."
Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Book of Funerals, ḥadīth 1052❖ Yet, Are These Prohibitions Being Followed?
Do those who claim love for the Prophet ﷺ truly obey him in this matter?
❖ Clear Warning from the Prophet ﷺ
✦ Sayyidunā Jundub رضي الله عنه reported five days before the Prophet’s ﷺ death:
((ألا وإن من كان قبلكم كانوا يتخذون قبور أنبيائهم وصالحيهم مساجد، ألا فلا تتخذوا القبور مساجد، فإني أنهاكم عن ذلك))
"Indeed, those before you used to take the graves of their prophets and righteous ones as places of worship. Beware! Do not turn graves into mosques—I strictly forbid you from doing so."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Mosques, ḥadīth 532❖ Reflect Upon Our Practices Today
Are mosques not being built over graves today?
Is this not a direct contradiction of the Prophet's ﷺ command?
❖ Severe Condemnation in Hadith
✦ Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
((لعن اللهُ اليهودَ والنصارى اتخذوا قبورَ أنبيائِهم مساجد))
"May Allah curse the Jews and Christians—they took the graves of their prophets as places of worship."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Funerals, ḥadīth 1330✦ Another Hadith:
((نهى رسولُ اللهِ أن يُبنى على القبرِ، ويُزاد عليه، ويُجصص عليه))
"The Prophet ﷺ forbade building over graves, raising them, and plastering them."
Sunan al-Nasā’ī, Book of Funerals, ḥadīth 2027❖ Additional Severe Prohibitions
✦ From Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما:
"The Prophet ﷺ cursed women who frequently visit graves, those who build mosques upon them, and those who light lamps upon them."
Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Book of Ṣalāh, ḥadīth 320Are not such acts being carried out openly today at grave festivals and mausoleums?
❖ Use of Drums and Music at Graves
People celebrate with music and drums at graves—yet the Prophet ﷺ said:
((إن ربي تبارك وتعالى حرَّم عليَّ الخمرَ والكوبةَ والقنين))
"Verily, my Lord has made wine, drums (kūbah), and flutes unlawful to me."
Musnad Aḥmad 3/422Another narration:
((حرِّمتِ الخمرُ والميسرُ والكوبةُ))
"Wine, gambling, and drums are all forbidden."
Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Book of Drinks, ḥadīth 3696❖ Are Festivals at Graves Not Open Disobedience?
Are not such festivals open defiance of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ?
❖ Action of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه Regarding Graves
✦ Sayyidunā Abū al-Hayyāj al-Asadī reported:
ʿAlī رضي الله عنه said to me:
"Shall I not send you on the same mission that the Prophet ﷺ sent me on? Do not leave any image without erasing it, and do not leave any elevated grave without leveling it."
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, vol. 2, ḥadīth 969❖ Objection of Grave-Worshippers Answered
Objection:
If building over graves is forbidden, then why is there a structure and green dome over the Prophet’s ﷺ grave?
Response 1:
The Prophet ﷺ had unique rulings. Upon his passing, some suggested burying him near the pulpit, others in al-Baqīʿ. Abū Bakr رضي الله عنه said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: A Prophet is buried where he dies.”
Thus, he was buried in ʿĀ’ishah’s chamber.
Muwaṭṭa’ Mālik, Book of FuneralsThat room was originally for residence, not to house a grave.
Sayyidah ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها said:
"Were it not for the fear that the grave would be taken as a place of prostration, it would have been placed in an open area."
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth 1330Response 2:
The green dome was not built by the Prophet ﷺ, nor by the Companions. According to Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Naeemi:
"The green dome was built in 678 AH by Sultan Qalāwūn al-Ṣāliḥī."
Jā’ al-Ḥaqq, vol. 2, p. 285A king's action is not Sharʿī evidence. Only the Prophet’s ﷺ commands and the actions of the Companions are valid proofs.
Even the statement of a Companion cannot override a muttasil marfūʿ hadith (directly reported from the Prophet ﷺ).
❖ A Final Call to the Muslims
O Muslims! For Allah’s sake, reflect!
Stop blindly following scholars. Study Qur'an and Hadith yourself.
Adopt only that path which aligns with divine revelation.
Remove the veil of prejudice and fear Allah.
Join the ranks of the truthful—for in that lies success.
"If you are truly Muslim, instill in your heart the majesty of the Qur'an.
Drink the wine of maʿrifah and awaken the vision of ʿirfān."
