Hidden Avenues of Shirk: Construction of Shrines and Grave Custodianship

Adapted from the book “Shirk ke Chor Darwazay” by Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi and Hafiz Mahmood al-Khizri

◈ Building Shrines on Graves and Grave Custodianship​

Constructing shrines, domes, and cupolas over graves and establishing custodianship upon them is a ritual rooted in disbelief and a major avenue of Shirk. This practice mirrors the temples of the Jews and the sanctuaries of the Hindus. Just as worship of beings other than Allah occurs in churches and temples, similar acts of devotion are carried out at the shrines of so-called saints.

Imam Amir al-San’ani, in Tathir al-I‘tiqad, writes:
((وَالْمَشَاهِدُ أَعْظَمُ الدَّرِيعَةِ إِلَى الشِّرْكِ وَالَّا الْحَادِ...))
Shrines and domes are among the greatest means leading to Shirk and atheism. Initially, people visit graves merely to supplicate for the deceased, but over time, generations arrive, see the extravagant structures, the lit candles, the expensive decorations, and assume these graves are sources of benefit or harm. Custodians fabricate stories attributing miracles to the deceased, thereby instilling superstitions and prompting people to make offerings.

◈ Prophetic Prohibition Against Grave Construction​

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ strictly prohibited building structures over graves. He even dispatched Sayyiduna Aliؓ with the specific instruction to flatten raised graves and destroy idols.

Abu al-Hayyaj al-Asadiؒ narrates:
(( أَلَا أَبْعَتُكَ عَلَى مَا بَعَثَنِي عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ...))
“Shall I not send you for the same task that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent me for? Do not leave any raised grave without leveling it, and any idol without erasing it.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Funerals, Hadith 969)

◈ Prohibition of Coating, Sitting Upon, or Building on Graves​

Sayyiduna Jabirؓ reports:
((نَهَى رَسُولُ اللهِ...))
The Prophet ﷺ prohibited coating graves with plaster, sitting upon them, and building over them.
(Sahih Muslim 970, Abu Dawood 3225, Tirmidhi 1052)

Imam Nawawiؒ comments:
“This Hadith indicates the dislike of plastering graves and building upon them, and the prohibition of sitting on them.”
(Sharh al-Nawawi, 7/32)

◈ Further Narrations and Early Practices​

Sayyiduna Abu Sa‘id al-Khudriؓ stated that the Prophet ﷺ forbade:

• Building on graves
• Sitting on them
• Praying upon them
  (Musnad Abu Ya‘la 2/297, Ibn Majah 1564)

Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash‘ariؓ instructed at his death:

• Do not place anything in my grave between me and the soil
• Do not build over my grave
• I disassociate from wailing, screaming, or tearing garments
  (Musnad Ahmad 4/397 – Graded Hasan by Al-Albani)

◈ Rulings of Fuqaha and Scholars​

Based on these narrations, the jurists of the Ummah unanimously declared the construction of buildings over graves as Haram, especially when these structures become sources of trial or rebellion against the Sunnah. However, it is not for individuals to demolish such structures—this responsibility lies with Islamic authorities to avoid greater disorder.

The incident of Masjid Dirar serves as a precedent, where a seemingly religious structure built with ill intent was destroyed by order of the Prophet ﷺ.

◈ Islamic Rulings on Grave Structure Height​

• Graves should be raised only up to one hand span (shibr) to distinguish them as graves.
• Imam Bayhaqi reported that the Prophet ﷺ’s grave was one hand span above ground.
  (Sunan al-Kubra 3/410)

Imam Nawawiؒ confirms:
(( إِنَّ السُّنَّةَ... ))
The Sunnah is that the grave should not be elevated above the ground excessively.
(Sharh Muslim, 7/31)

Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilaniؒ stated:
The grave should be raised one hand span, sprinkled with water, and covered with pebbles. Plastering it with mortar is disliked.
(Ghunyat al-Talibin)

◈ Statements from Renowned Imams​

• Imam Abu Hanifaؒ: Disliked plastering and constructing graves with bricks or mortar.
  (Kitab al-Athar, p. 126)
• Allama Mahmood Alusiؒ:

The greatest causes of Shirk are prayer at graves, making mosques over them, and building domes. Destroying such structures is obligatory as they are more dangerous than Masjid Dirar.
(Ruh al-Ma‘ani 15/8/23)

• Qadhi Thanaullah Panipatiؒ:

Constructing tall buildings and lighting lamps at graves is either Haram or Makruh.
(Ma La Budda Minhu, p. 67)

• Imam Malikؒ:

I consider building upon graves and plastering them as Makruh.
(Al-Mudawwanah al-Kubra, 1/170)

• Imam Shafi‘iؒ:

I have not seen the graves of the Muhajirun and Ansar plastered. I have seen rulers demolishing structures on graves, and the scholars did not object.
(Kitab al-Umm, 1/277)

• Imam Abu al-Hasan Musa al-Kazimؒ (Shi’a scholar):

It is not permissible to build over graves, sit on them, plaster them, or coat them.
(Al-Istibsar, 1/217)

◈ The Resemblance to Pagan Practices​

The rituals at Muslim shrines today mirror those of non-Muslims:

• Hindus call them Mandirs
• Muslims call them Shrines, Khanqahs, or Dargahs

The custodians of shrines (Mujawireen) behave like pagan temple caretakers.

Allama Baladhuriؒ describes the “Bud” (idol temple) in Multan:

It was like the churches of Christians and synagogues of Jews, where idols were worshiped. Offerings and vows were made, and it was visited like a pilgrimage site.

◈ Final Reminder​

There is no essential difference—only in names. Idolaters placed statues of saints and prophets; Muslims venerate the graves of pious individuals and present offerings to their caretakers.

The Prophet ﷺ warned:
((مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ))
Whoever imitates a people, he is one of them.
(Abu Dawood 4031 – Graded Hasan Sahih by Al-Albani)