This excerpt is taken from Sheikh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah's book Al-Jawab al-Bahir fi Zuwar al-Maqabir, translated by Sheikh Ataullah Saqib.
The Messenger of Allah is a means of intercession for all jinn and humans
Faith in the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and obedience to him is the means between a servant and Allah. Without faith and obedience, there is no means that can be adopted. At this time, the only means for all creation to reach Allah is to believe in Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and to obey and comply with him. Wherever a person is, he is commanded to have faith in the Messenger and obey him; however, the acts of worship that are designated for a specific place must be performed there and at the prescribed time, such as the judge, fasting, and Friday prayer.
As for the blessed chamber (Hujrah Mubarak), in Shariah, no status is established for its inner part, nor does the outer part have any special distinction in worship, nor has any such act been performed in this chamber. The Imams of Islam unanimously agree that staying away from the blessed chamber and attaining nearness to Allah is among the best deeds.
As for the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid al-Nabawi), its virtue is established from the time of the Prophet’s blessed life, before the honored grave. Therefore, the mosque does not have any virtue because of the honored grave.
Reference: A question was asked to Maulvi Ahmad Raza Khan Sahib: "What do the scholars of religion and jurists of the Shariah say regarding the issue of kissing the graves of the saints, circumambulating around the graves, and prostrating as a form of respect according to the Shariah and whether it is permissible according to the Hanafi school?"
The answer: Undoubtedly, circumambulating for respect around any place other than the Great Kaaba is impermissible, and prostrating to anyone other than Allah is forbidden in our Shariah. Scholars differ regarding kissing the grave, and it is safer to avoid it, especially the shrines of the pure saints. Our scholars have explicitly stated that one should stand at least four hand-spans away. This is the proper etiquette. Then how can completion be imagined? (Ahkam al-Shariah, p. 258, Part 3, Issue 4)
From the above, it is understood that one should stand at least four hand-spans away from the Prophet’s grave and the shrines of the saints. When standing four hand-spans away, then kissing the grave, touching it, or touching its grills is absolutely not possible.
The answer: Undoubtedly, circumambulating for respect around any place other than the Great Kaaba is impermissible, and prostrating to anyone other than Allah is forbidden in our Shariah. Scholars differ regarding kissing the grave, and it is safer to avoid it, especially the shrines of the pure saints. Our scholars have explicitly stated that one should stand at least four hand-spans away. This is the proper etiquette. Then how can completion be imagined? (Ahkam al-Shariah, p. 258, Part 3, Issue 4)
From the above, it is understood that one should stand at least four hand-spans away from the Prophet’s grave and the shrines of the saints. When standing four hand-spans away, then kissing the grave, touching it, or touching its grills is absolutely not possible.
