Ten Important Shariah Rulings and Prohibitions Regarding Graves
Hadith:
Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"For one of you to sit on a burning ember that burns his clothes and reaches his skin is better for him than sitting on a grave."
(Sahih Muslim 971)
Ruling:
Sitting on graves is strictly forbidden, whether for spiritual retreat, guardianship, or any other reason.
The Prophet ﷺ forbade:
◈ Making graves solid with materials,
◈ Building domes over them,
◈ Sitting on them, and
◈ Praying towards them.
(Sahih Muslim 970)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade writing any inscriptions on graves.
(Abu Dawood 3226, al-Hakim 1/370 — authenticated by al-Dhahabi)
Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله:
It is impermissible to inscribe Qur’anic verses or any other writing on stone, metal, or any material placed on a grave. This is considered ghuluw (excess) and is prohibited.
The Sunnah is to place only soil over the grave, raising it one handspan for identification.
ʿAli ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) said:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded me to obliterate all images and to level all raised graves."
(Sahih Muslim 969)
Umm Habibah and Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنهما) mentioned a church with images to the Prophet ﷺ. He said:
"When a righteous man among them died, they built a place of worship over his grave and made images in it. They will be the worst of creation before Allah on the Day of Judgment."
(Sahih Bukhari 427, Sahih Muslim 528)
In his final illness, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their prophets as places of worship."
ʿAishah (رضي الله عنها) said:
"If not for that, his grave would have been in an open place, but it was feared that people would take it as a mosque."
(Sahih Bukhari 1390, Sahih Muslim 529)
Any form of unnecessary beautification or luxury construction on graves is against the Sunnah and opens the door to shirk.
Praying towards a grave is forbidden, as it leads to imitation of the people of shirk who venerate the dead.
Acts such as placing flags, building enclosures, or assigning special custodians without Shar‘i basis are all blameworthy innovations.
All these prohibitions aim to safeguard Tawheed by blocking means to grave worship, a practice that led earlier nations to misguidance.
Conclusion:
Sitting on graves, constructing solid or elevated structures, inscribing text, building domes, making images, or establishing mosques over graves are all prohibited in Islam. These acts contradict the Sunnah and can lead to shirk. A Muslim must follow the prophetic method of simplicity and humility in burial practices.
1 — Prohibition of Sitting on Graves
Hadith:
Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"For one of you to sit on a burning ember that burns his clothes and reaches his skin is better for him than sitting on a grave."
(Sahih Muslim 971)
Ruling:
Sitting on graves is strictly forbidden, whether for spiritual retreat, guardianship, or any other reason.
2 — Prohibition of Constructing Solid or Elevated Graves
The Prophet ﷺ forbade:
◈ Making graves solid with materials,
◈ Building domes over them,
◈ Sitting on them, and
◈ Praying towards them.
(Sahih Muslim 970)
3 — Prohibition of Writing on Graves
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade writing any inscriptions on graves.
(Abu Dawood 3226, al-Hakim 1/370 — authenticated by al-Dhahabi)
Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله:
It is impermissible to inscribe Qur’anic verses or any other writing on stone, metal, or any material placed on a grave. This is considered ghuluw (excess) and is prohibited.
The Sunnah is to place only soil over the grave, raising it one handspan for identification.
4 — Order to Level Elevated Graves
ʿAli ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) said:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded me to obliterate all images and to level all raised graves."
(Sahih Muslim 969)
5 — Condemnation of Building Mosques and Images on Graves
Umm Habibah and Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنهما) mentioned a church with images to the Prophet ﷺ. He said:
"When a righteous man among them died, they built a place of worship over his grave and made images in it. They will be the worst of creation before Allah on the Day of Judgment."
(Sahih Bukhari 427, Sahih Muslim 528)
6 — Curse on Those Who Turn Graves into Mosques
In his final illness, the Prophet ﷺ said:
"May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their prophets as places of worship."
ʿAishah (رضي الله عنها) said:
"If not for that, his grave would have been in an open place, but it was feared that people would take it as a mosque."
(Sahih Bukhari 1390, Sahih Muslim 529)
7 — Prohibition of Excessive Grave Decoration
Any form of unnecessary beautification or luxury construction on graves is against the Sunnah and opens the door to shirk.
8 — Prohibition of Praying Towards Graves
Praying towards a grave is forbidden, as it leads to imitation of the people of shirk who venerate the dead.
9 — Avoidance of Grave-Related Innovations
Acts such as placing flags, building enclosures, or assigning special custodians without Shar‘i basis are all blameworthy innovations.
10 — Guarding Against Practices Leading to Shirk
All these prohibitions aim to safeguard Tawheed by blocking means to grave worship, a practice that led earlier nations to misguidance.
Conclusion:
Sitting on graves, constructing solid or elevated structures, inscribing text, building domes, making images, or establishing mosques over graves are all prohibited in Islam. These acts contradict the Sunnah and can lead to shirk. A Muslim must follow the prophetic method of simplicity and humility in burial practices.