✿ Introduction
Respecting the grave of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is an established truth in Islam, given that his blessed body is buried there. However, seeking blessings (tabarruk) from the grave is not permitted in Islam. No authentic narration from the Companions, Tabi‘in, or Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in supports the practice of touching, kissing, or deriving tabarruk from the Prophet’s ﷺ grave.Islam discourages all forms of ghuluw (exaggeration) in religion. Consequently, the notion of obtaining blessings from graves—including the Prophet’s ﷺ grave—is neither supported by the Qur’an nor by reliable Sunnah.
❖ ① Foundation of Deen: Practice of the Salaf
The religion of truth is founded on the practices of the Salaf al-Salih. Anything unfamiliar to the early generations has no place in Shari‘ah. No evidence proves that the Prophet’s Companions ever sought tabarruk from his ﷺ grave.❖ ② Evidence from the Companions
❖ Anas ibn Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated the incident of a body found during the conquest of Tustar. Caliph Umar (رضي الله عنه) ordered its burial in secrecy to prevent people from seeking blessings from it.(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 13/27)
❖ Abdullah ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما) used to visit the Prophet’s ﷺ grave and make du‘a, but refrained from touching or kissing it.
(Muwatta Malik: 1/166)
❖ Nafi‘ (رحمه الله) reported that Ibn Umar considered touching the grave disliked (makruh).
(Juz’ Muhammad ibn ‘Asim al-Thaqafi: 106)
❖ ③ Wisdom Behind Hidden Graves
Allah concealed the locations of the graves of most prophets and many Sahabah to prevent innovations like seeking blessings through graves. This was a preventive measure against shirk and bid‘ah.❖ ④ Viewpoints of the Scholars
❖ Abu al-‘Aliyah (رحمه الله) buried a corpse revered by the locals to prevent tabarruk.(Sirah Ibn Ishaq: 66)
❖ Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) explained that the Sahabah hid the grave of Prophet Danyal (عليه السلام) to protect people from falling into fitnah.
(Iqtida’ al-Sirat al-Mustaqim: 2/200)
❖ Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) emphasized that the Sahabah never permitted tabarruk from graves.
(Ighathah al-Lahfan: 1/203)
❖ Al-Ghazali (رحمه الله) stated that touching and kissing graves is a Christian and Jewish custom, not part of Islam.
(Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din: 1/244)
❖ Al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) called the acts of circumambulating graves or prostrating there innovations (bid‘ah).
(Al-Idah: 456)
❖ Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) and Ibn al-Haj (رحمه الله) also ruled that these actions are unfounded and should be avoided.
❖ ⑤ Weak and Fabricated Narrations
Several narrations are presented in favor of seeking tabarruk from the Prophet’s ﷺ grave. However, upon analysis, these narrations are either weak, fabricated, or attributed to discredited narrators.- Umar visiting the grave before war – narrated by al-Waqidi, a known fabricator.
- Ka‘b al-Ahbar visiting with Umar – also from al-Waqidi.
- ‘A’ishah opening a window to the sky – weak chain with unreliable narrators.
- Jabir weeping at the grave – includes narrators accused of fabricating ahadith.
- Bilal's dream and visit – declared fabricated by Ibn Hajar and others.
- Abu Ayyub placing his face on the grave – includes unknown narrators.
- A man praying at the grave during drought – has issues with tadlis and weak narrators.
- Ibn al-Munkadir’s story – includes weak and unknown narrators.
❖ ⑥ Imam Ahmad’s Statement
Imam Ahmad (رحمه الله) was asked about touching the Prophet’s ﷺ grave and seeking closeness through it. He reportedly allowed it if done for taqarrub. However, this view is considered an ijtihadi error as no such act is recorded from the Sahabah.❖ ⑦ True Love for the Prophet ﷺ
True love for the Prophet ﷺ lies in following the practices of his Companions, not in inventing new rituals. The Companions, despite their unmatched love, never touched or kissed the grave for blessings.❖ Summary:
➊ No authentic narration supports tabarruk from the Prophet’s ﷺ grave.➋ The Companions' model is the true measure of love for the Prophet ﷺ.
➌ Imam Ahmad’s view on tabarruk is an isolated and erroneous opinion.
➍ Hafiz al-Dhahabi affirmed that the Sahabah disliked even touching the grave.
