Proofs of building Shrines/Tombs of Prophets

It is a Sunnah to build tombs/shrines around the graves of Prophets (alaih salam) ,Salafs (RA) and Awliya al-Ikraam (rah). Although for public graveyards and ordinary muslims it is not allowed.

The First tomb in islam

Grave of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is "INSIDE" room of the house of Ayesha (ra)

The Second tomb in islam

Grave of Sayyidna Abu Bakr (RA) is in a room of the house of Ayesha (ra) buried next to Prophet (Peace be upon him)

The Third tomb in islam

Grave of Sayyidna Umar Ibnul Khattab (ra) is in a room of the house of Ayesha (ra) buried next to Prophet (Peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr (ra)

So it was a practice of Sahaba to bury Prophet (As) and Caliphs not openly but inside a Room or in other words a "CONSTRUCTED SHRINE"

Answering misquotation of Hadith and Objections

Hadith states Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 414
Narrated 'Urwa:

Aisha said, "The Prophet in his fatal illness said, 'Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians because they took the graves of their Prophets as places for praying."

' Aisha added, " Had it not been for that the grave of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) would have been made prominent but I am afraid it might be taken (as a) place for praying.

The above hadith is quoted for jews and christians not for muslims who took their Prophets as God, Son/daughter of God. Lets see how the classical scholars view it.

Imam Ibn Hajar al - Haytami(in his Zawajir) quotes the hadith from Ahmad, Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: "May Allah curse the Jews and Christians; they have taken the tombs of their prophets as places of worship."

He said, "The reason for considering it an enormity is obvious

He explains, however, that, “Taking a grave as a place of worship means to pray on the grave or towards it.The prohibition, moreover, applies exclusively to the grave of someone venerated... under the two conditions:

A) that the grave is of someone who is honored and venerated;

B) and that the prayer is performed towards or on the grave with the intention of gaining the blessing of it, or out of reverence for it. (from: al-Zawajir, Reliance w21)

And this is only if one prays so close to it that if praying the prayer of those attentive (looking down), the grave would be within one's sight.
[end quote ]

Hence praying salat towards the grave or doing sajda infront of it as christians/jews used to do it is haram.No one is history of Islam took this hadith as proof of prohibiting building of tombs/shrines over Pious muslims graves.

Proof 1 of building of tombs around a grave

Quran states:

Thus did We make their case known to the people, that they might know that the promise of Allah is true, and that there can be no doubt about the Hour of Judgment. Behold, they dispute among themselves as to their affair. (Some) said, "Construct a building over them": Their Lord knows best about them: those who prevailed over their affair said,"Let us surely build a place of worship over them." (Quran 18:21)

Authentic classical Tafsir for this verse

Tafsir Number 1

Qadhi Thana Ullah Panipatti (Rahimuhullah) writes in his great Tafsir al Mazhari: After the death of Ashaab al Kahf a dispute occurred between Muslims and non-muslims, The Muslims said that they will make a Masjid over them because they were of our faith whereas the disbelievers said they will build other buildings on it where people will live….This Ayah is proving that Mosques could be made near graves of Awliya in order to say salaat in them, Tabarruk is also attained through the tombs of Awliya [Tafsir al Mazhari Volume No.7, Page No. 123-124]

Tafsir Number 2

Tafsir by Imam Bayzawi (rah) says: "From this it is understood that to erect a Mausoleum for the special people, i.e. Pious Saints and Ulema, is permissible".

Tafsir Number 3

Tafsir by Imam Fakhrud'deen Razi (rah) writes:

أن بعضهم قال: الأولى أن يسد باب الكهف لئلا يدخل عليهم أحد ولا يقف على أحوالهم إنسان. وقال آخرون: بل الأولى أن يبني على باب الكهف مسجد وهذا القول يدل على أن أولئك الأقوام كانوا عارفين بالله معترفين بالعبادة والصلاة

Translation: Some people said that the door of the cave should be closed so that nobody can enter it and the Ahwaal (of Ashab e Kahf) are kept hidden. Some people said that It is better to build a mosque at the door, this saying proves that these people were “ARIFEEN OF ALLAH WHO BELIEVED IN WORSHIPPING AND PRAYER”[Tafsir al Kabeer, Volume No. 5, Page No. 475]

Imam al-Razi also said:

ثم قال تعالى: {قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۴ عَلَىٰۤ أَمْرِهِمْ} قيل المراد به الملك المسلم، وقيل: أولياء أصحاب الكهف، وقيل: رؤساء البلد: {لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًا} نعبد الله فيه ونستبقي آثار أصحاب الكهف بسبب ذلك المسجد

Translation: And when Allah said {Those who prevailed over their affair} this refers to the “MUSLIM RULER” or the Awliya of Ashaab al Kahf (i.e. their momineen friends) or the leaders of town. {We will surely build a Mosque over them} so that we can “WORSHIP ALLAH” in it and due to it we will “PRESERVE THE RELICS OF ASHAAB AL KAHF”[Tafsir al-Kabeer, 5/475]

Tafsir Number 4

In "Tafseer Roohul Bayaan", Vol. 3, according to the verse: "To build over the graves of the Ulema, Awliya and the Saliheen is a permissible act with this condition that the motive is that the greatness of these pious people must be made apparent so that the people don't think that it is an ordinary grave."

Tafsir Number 5

Imam Hakim (Rehmatullah Alaih) said in his Tafsir

قال الذين غلبوا على أمرهم} وهم المؤمنون, وكانوا غالبين في ذلك الوقت

Translation: {Those who prevailed over their affair} refers to the “MOMINEEN” and they prevailed over this matter in that time [Tafsir al Wahidi under 18:21]

Tafsir Number 6

Imam Jalal ud-din Suyuti (Rehmatullah Alaih) and Al Muhalli (Rehmatullah Alaih) explain in Tafsir al Jalalyn:

يَتَنَـٰزَعُونَ} أي المؤمنون والكفار {بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْۖ} أمر الفتية في البناء حولهم {فَقَالُوۤا۴} أي الكفار {ٱبْنُوا۴ عَلَيْهِم} أي حولهم {بُنْيَـٰنًاۖ} يسترهم {رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۴ عَلَىٰۤ أَمْرِهِمْ} أمر الفتية وهم المؤمنون {لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم} حولهم {مَّسْجِدًا} يصلى فيه، وفعل ذلك على باب الكهف.

Translation: They were disputing, that is, the believers and the disbelievers, among themselves their affair, the affair of the youths, with regard to building something around them [as a monument]; so they, the disbelievers, said, ‘Build over them, that is, around them, a building, to cover them up; their Lord knows them best.’ Those who prevailed regarding their affair, the affair of the youths, “NAMELY THE BELIEVERS"

We will verily set up over them, around them, a place of worship’, for prayers to be performed therein. And this indeed took place at the entrance of the cave.[Tafsir al Jalalyn, Volume No.1, Page No. 389]

Tafsir Number 7

Imam Nasafi (Rehmatullah Alaih) writes in his Tafsir al Nasafi:

قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۴ عَلَىٰۤ أَمْرِهِمْ} من المسلمين وملكهم
وكانوا أولى بهم وبالبناء عليهم {لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم} على باب الكهف {مَّسْجِدًا} يصلي فيه المسلمون ويتبركون

Translation: {Those who prevailed over their affair} these are the “MUSLIMS AND THE RULERS” who said to build over them i.e. on the door of cave a Masjid so that “MUSLIMS CAN PRAY IN IT AND SEEK TABARRUK” [Tafsir al Nasafi, Volume No.3, Page No. 18]

Tafsir Number 8

Imam Abu Hayyan al Andalusi (Rehmatullah Alaih) said:

وروي أن التي دعت إلى البنيان كانت كافرة أرادت بناء بيعة أو مصنع لكفرهم فمانعهم المؤمنون وبنوا عليهم مسجداً

Translation: The person who told to make a building over them was a Kafir woman, she told to make a Church over them where deeds of Kufr can take place, however the momineen stopped her and made a Masjid over there instead [Tafsir Bahr al Muheet, Volume No. 7, Page No. 158]

Tafsir Number 9

Allama Ibn Jawzi (Rehmatullah Alaih) who is considered the most strict scholar and revered highly by Salafi Muslims, he states in his Tafsir under 18:21

قال ابن قتيبة: يعني المُطاعين والرؤساء، قال المفسرون: وهم الملك وأصحابه المؤمنون اتخذوا عليهم مسجداً

Translation: Ibn Qutayba (Rehmatullah Alaih) said that the Mufasireen said: People who made Masjid were the (Muslim) King and his Momineen companions [Tafsir Zaad ul Maseer, Volume No. 5, Page No.124]

Tafsir Number 10

Imam Shahab ud-din Khafaji (Rehmatullah Alaih) wrote:

مسجد ايدل على جوازا لبناء على قبور الصلحاء ونحوهم كما اشار الي فى الكشاف وجواز الصلوة فى ذلك البناء

Translation: (Making mosque on cave) ”IS PROOF OF MAKING MOSQUES OVER THE GRAVES OF SALIHEEN” just like It is mentioned in Tafsir al Kashaaf and It is “PERMITTED” to pray inside this construction [Imam Khafaji in Inayatul Qadhi, Volume No. 6, Page No. 87, Published by Dar us Sadir, Beirut, Lebanon]

Tafsir Number 11

Mullah Ali Qari (Rehmatullah Alaih) writes:

أما من اتخذ مسجدا في جوار صالح أو صلى في مقبرة وقصد الإستظهار بروحه أو وصول أثر ما من أثر عبادته إليه لا للتعظيم له والتوجه نحوه فلا حرج عليه ألا ترى أن مرقد إسماعيل عليه السلام في المسجد الحرام عند الحطيم ثم أن ذلك المسجد أفضل مكان يتحرى المصلى لصلاته والنهي عن الصلاة في المقابر مختص بالقبور المنبوشة لما فيها من النجاسة كذا ذكره الطيبي وذكر غيره أن صورة قبر إسماعيل عليه السلام في الحجر تحت الميزاب وإن في الحطيم بين الحجر الأسود وزمزم قبر سبعين نبيا

Translation: Anyone who builds a mosque near the grave of an upright person or prays in the tomb (Maqbara) or intends to ask for help through the Ruh of that upright person or intends to seek barakah from his left overs, If he does all that without the intention of giving him Tazeem or doing tawajuh towards him ( in prayer) “Then there is nothing wrong in that, don't you see that Grave of Hadrat Ismail(A.S) is inside the Masjid ul Harram near the hateem and to Pray there is Superior than anything else ” however to pray near the graves is only forbidden when the soil becomes dirty because of Najasat of deceased… In the Hateem near Hajr al Aswad and Mizaab there are “Graves of 70 Prophets” [Mirqat, Sharh al Mishqaat, Volume No. 2, Page No. 202]

Mullah Ali Qari (Rehmatullah Alaih) also said:

وقد أباح السلف البناء على قبر المشايخ والعلماء المشهورين ليزورهم الناس ويستريحوا بالجلوس فيه

Translation: The early Muslims (Salaf) have considered it Mubah (i.e. allowed) to build over the graves of famous Mashaikh and Ulama so that people can visit them and sit there (easily) [Mirqaat Sharh al Misshqaat, Volume No. 4, Page No. 69]

So Indeed the Prophets, Mashaikh and Saliheen do not come under the prohibition because the grave of Prophet (Peace be upon him), Abu Bakr (Radhi’Allah anho), Umar (Radhi’Allah anho) and many other Prophets and Saliheen have remained “BUILT OVER”

Tafsir Number 12

Ibn khatir in his tafsir writes.

م { قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُواْ عَلَىٰ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِمْ مَّسْجِدًا } حكى ابن جرير في القائلين ذلك قولين: [أحدهما] أنهم المسلمون منهم.

Translation: "When the people of the cave went into the cave, some people close to the entrance of the cave said, 'Build a mosque so we can worship Allah.' The people who said this were Muslims" [Tafsir Tabari, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Sura al-Kahf, verse 21]

Tafsir Number 13

The famous commentator of Sahih Bukhari and leading scholar in sight of Sunnis and Salafis/wahabisies.

Imam Ibn Hajr al Asqalani (rah) writes in his magnificent Fath ul Bari

In view of the fact that the Jews and Christians were taking the graves of their Prophets as their qibla for the purpose of respect, and were paying attention towards them at the time of their prayers, their graves took the position of idols. For this reason the Muslims have been forbidden from this action. However, if someoneconstructs a mosque near the grave of a pious person for the prupose of seeking tabarruk and not for prostration or paying attention towards them, he will never be included in this prohibition.

( Ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalani, Fath al-bari, vol. 3, p. 208)

Proof 2 of building of tombs around a grave



Hadrat Umar (Ra) wish to get buried beside Tomb of Prophet(saw) in a Room


Al-Bukhari narrates in his Sahih, Book of Jana'iz:

When `Umar was stabbed he sent his son `Abd Allah with a message to `A'isha to "Ask her if I can be buried with my two companions," that is, in her room, next to the Prophet and Abu Bakr. `A'isha replied: "I wanted the spot for myself, but I shall put him [`Umar] before me today." It had been her habit that if a man from among the Companions asked her that spot she would always refuse. She herself gave the following instructions before her death: "Bury me with my lady-friends (the wives of the Prophet in al-Baqi`) [but do not bury me with the Prophet in the house, for I dislike to be held in reverence (inni akrahu an uzakka)." Ibn `Umar came back with the news, whereupon `Umar said: "NOTHING IN THE WORLD WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN THAT RESTING-PLACE." [Narrated by al-Bukhari in his Sahih.]

Why did Hadrat Umar (ra) wanted to get buried in a room and not outside , Why is Hadrat Abu Baker (Ra) buried in a Room , A tomb is also a room built around the grave ,and it proves its a sunnah


The Tomb of Aqah Karim (صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلم) is the greatest proof of this practice , Other tombs of Sahabas (Ra) were demolished by Al saud otherwise they too were present throughout history of islam.






Proof 3 of building of tombs around a grave

Hadiths proving tombs of 70 Prophets (as) Tomb


5769- وعن ابن عمر أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏
‏"‏في مسجد الخيف قبر سبعون نبياً‏"‏‏.‏
رواه البزار ورجاله ثقات‏.‏
Narrated by Ibn Umar (RA) from Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) who said: In (fi) the Mosque of al-Khayf there is Qabr of 70 Prophets (together)
Imam al Hafidh Ibn Hajr al Haythami (rah) said:

رواه البزار ورجاله ثقات‏

It is narrated by Al-Bazzar and all its narrators are "THIQA" (i.e. Hadith is absolutely sahih) [Majma az Zawaid Volume No.3, Page No.640 Bab fi Masjid al Khayf, Hadith #5769]



Proof 4 of building of tombs around a grave

Jesus Will Be Burried Next to our Prophet's (may God bless him and grant him peace) Tomb


Jesus, son of Mary, will come down to the world… He will marry, . . . live for 45 years and then die. He will be buried with me [Mohammed] in my grave. Then I and Jesus, son of Mary, will stand up in one grave between Abu Bakr and `Umar. (Mishkat-ul-Masabih, 40:4)

Jesus will marry and have a child after he returns. After he dies, the Muslims will perform his funeral prayer and bury him at the Rauza-i-Aqdas (Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Al-Qawl al-Mukhtasar fi `Alamat al-Mahdi al-Muntazar, 65)


This hadith itself proves that Hadrat Esa (aleh islam) will be buried in Prophet (صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلم) Tomb along with him
Proof 5 of building of tombs around a grave
محمد قال :اخبرنا ابو حنيفة قال حدثنا سالم الافطس قال: ما من نبي الا ويحرب من قومة الي الكعبة يعبد رحبا وان حولحا لقبر ثلاث ماة نبي


Muhammad said: Abu hanifa informed us saying that salim as aftas narrated to us saying " There is no Prophet who has no fled from its people towards the kaaba to worship Allah, and around it there are graves of 300 Prophets.
[pg 150,Kitab al-Athar of Imam al-Shaybani as published by Turath Publishing in London]

Proof 6 of building of tombs around a grave
محمد قال :اخبرنا ابو حنيفة قال حدثنا
عطاء بن الساءب قال :قبر حود وصالح وثعيب عليحم السلام في المسجد الحرام

Muhammad said: Abu hanifa informed us saying that Ata ibn as saib narrated to us saying the graves of Prophet Hud, Salih and Shuaib [aleh islam] is in Masjid Al Haram
[In pg 150,Kitab al-Athar of Imam al-Shaybani as published by Turath Publishing in London]



Answering Objection :
Prostrating towards a grave(doing sajda)


This is clearly haram even if sajda e tazeemi , Sunni muslims donot believe in doing Sajda towards a grave as Shariah prohibits it ,

it has already in miskat ul mabasih page 161 Vol 1 hadith 694

و عن عطا ء بن ىسار قال قال رسؤل الله صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلمااللهما كا تجعل قبرى وثنا يعبد اشتد غضب الله علئ قوم اتخز وا قبور انبيا حى ام مسا جد رواحما لق مرسلق
Hadrat Ata Bin Siyar narrated that Prophet (صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلم) said that donot make my grave an idol after I die may Allah curse this nation who made graves of their Prophets (as) into prostration places (worship places)

Scan page: http://www.razanw.org/modules/sunnib...id=18&page=162



Here above strictness forbidding prostration is narrated in the hadith , and by making places of worshipping it means making it prostration place, this has already been mentioned by imam ibn e hajar (Rah) in same thread

so any one who does Sajda to is haram, any muslims who does it is not follow ahle sunnah wal jammat



On the issue of kissing a Shrine/grave Or putting head on grave.

PROOF 1

It is also narrated that Mu`adh ibn Jabal and Bilal came to the grave of the Prophet and sat weeping, and the latter rubbed his face against it.

► Ibn Majah 2:1320,

►Ahmad,

►al-Tabarani,

►al-Subki, and Ibn `Asakir


PROOF 2

Dawud ibn Salih said: "[The governor of Madina] Marwan [ibn al-Hakam] one day saw a man placing his face on top of the grave of the Prophet. He said: "Do you know what you are doing?" When he came near him, he realized it was Abu Ayyub al-Ansari. The latter said: "Yes; I came to the Prophet, not to a stone.,

► Ibn Hibban in his Sahih,

►Ahmad (5:422),

►Al-Tabarani in his Mu`jam al-Kabir (4:189) and his Awsat according to Haythami in al-Zawa'id (5:245 and 5:441 #5845 Book of Hajj, "Section on the honoring of the dwellers of Madina, chapter on placing one's face against the grave of our Master the Prophet " and #9252 Book of Khilafa, "Chapter on the leadership of those unworthy of it"),

►al-Hakim in his Mustadrak (4:515);

► both the latter and al-Dhahabi said it was sahih.

► It is also cited by al-Subki in Shifa' al-siqam (p. 126)

►and Ibn Taymiyya in al-Muntaqa (2:261f.)



Prophet's (صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلم) Grave

Imam al-Dhahabi said: "Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked about touching the Prophet's grave and kissing it and he saw nothing wrong with it. His son 'Abd Allah related this from him. If it is asked: "Why did the Companions not do this?" ]We reply: "Because they saw him with their very eyes when he was alive, enjoyed his presence directly, kissed his very hand, nearly fought each other over the remnants of his ablution water, shared his purified hair on the day of the greater Pilgrimage, and even if he spat it would virtually not fall except in someone's hand so that he could pass it over his face. Since we have not had the tremendous fortune of sharing in this, we throw ourselves on his grave as a mark of commitment, reverence, and acceptance, even to kiss it. Do you not see what Thabit al-Bunani did when he kissed the hand of Anas ibn Malik and placed it on his face saying: "This is the hand that touched the hand of the Messenger of Allah "? Muslims are not moved to these matters except by their excessive love for the Prophet , as they are ordered to love Allah and the Prophet more than their own lives, their children, all human beings, their property, and Paradise and its maidens. There are even some believers that love Abu Bakr and 'Umar more than themselves.
[Al-Dhahabi, Mu'jam al-Shuyukh (1:73 #58).]


"'Abd Allah ibn Ahmad said: "I saw my father take a hair that belonged to the Prophet , put it on his mouth, and kiss it. I believe I saw him put it on his eyes. He also dipped it in water and drank the water to obtain cure. I saw him take the Prophet's bowl (qas'a), wash it in water, and drink from it. I saw him drink Zamzam water in order to seek cure with it, and he wiped his hands and face with it." I say: Where is the quibbling critic of Imam Ahamad now?

It is also authentically established that 'Abd Allah asked is father about those who touch the pommel of the Prophet's e pulpit and touch the wall of the Prophet's e room, and he said: "I do not see any harm in it." May Allah protect us and you from the opinion of the Khawarij and from innovations!

[ Al-Dhahabi, Siyar A'lam al-Nubala' (9:457). Ch. on Imam Ah.mad, section entitled Min adabih]

NOTE from Ala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (rah)

Even after above Sahih hadiths and opinion of salafs Mujadad Ala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza khan (rah) said


He states: there are diverse opinions amongst the scholars regarding kissing graves. It is an act which lies between two things: something that allows the practice: love and something that disallows it: adab respect.Hence, the one who does it through overwhelming love is not criticized because this act is proven from the sahabah. Though, it is better for the general public to be precautious.] Our scholars have explicitly stated that one should stand at least four feet away from the grave, so how would one kiss it!?

(Fatwa Ridhwiyah, 9:528)


Answering Objection : Doing Tawaaf of graves [/B]

This is also not allowed and haram according to ahlus sunnah viewpoint.


Fatwa from Ala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan (rah)

QUESTION: What do the Ulamaa-e-Deen and Muftiyaane Share-Matin say regarding kissing the grave of Awliyaa-e-Kiraam and doing the tawaaf of the grave and doing sajdah before the grave (give written answer and earn sawaab) [/B]

ANSWER: No doubt doing the tawaaf of anything else except the Kaabah Muazzamah is unlawful [haram] .Sajdah (prostration) in front of anyone else except Allah is forbidden in our Shariat[/B] and about kissing the grave there are differences about it among the Ulamaas it is better not to do it (Do not kiss).Especially about the grave of the Awliyaa-e-Kiraam our Ulamaa have clearly described that we should stand quite far from the grave, the distance between us and the grave should be of four feet.
This is the real respect then how can kissing of the grave be even thought of?

(Ahkaame Shariat part 3 pg.3-4)

scanned Pages

(Ahkaame Shariat part 3 pg.3-4)

__________________

Answering Objection To put pictures near grave




Narrated Aisha

Um Salama told Allah's Apostle about a church which she had seen in Ethiopia and which was called Mariya.She told him about the pictures which she had seen in it. Allah's Apostle said, "If any righteous pious man dies amongst them, they would build a place of worship at his grave and make these pictures in it; they are theworst creatures in the sight of Allah."

[sahih bukhari volume 1, number 426]
First thing to be noted is ahle sunnah wal jammat considers putting pictures at graves as haram and No muslim at any part of world does it, Worshipping (means doing sajda) according to hadiths and even Imam Ibn e Hajar (Rah) , there is no a single imam who took worshpiing as building shrines except some deviated people, As QURAN ITSELF SAYS THEY BUILD A PLACE OF
WORSHIP AND EVEN MASJID R NABWI (صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلم) is a Place of Worship ,
Making pictures is haram and has no justification

Secondly this hadith is stated for Christians and non muslims, And some people blindly quote such hadiths and verses for muslims



Answering Objection Hadith of Visiting only 3 mosques is allowed


Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Do not set out on a journey except for three mosques, i.e. Al-Masjid-Al-Haram, the Mosque of Allah's Apostle, and the Mosque of Al-Aqsa (Mosque of Jerusalem)." [Sahih bukhari volume 2,number 281]
Some people take this hadith literally to claim that going to any mosque or Shrine is Haram , According to this childish logic we see

► All scholars who go to any mosque in the world to give lectures or pay visits (which many do every year including wahabi(ghair muqaled) school scholars) are doing a haram act

Now let us see what Classical imams (rah) said regarding this issue

IMAM NAWAWI ON THIS HADITH quoting Salafs

Imam Nawawi write in Sharah of hadith 'Not to travel (for visiting) except for three mosques (Bukhari)' the true meaning of hadith, He (Nawawi) Write: In this haidth the Three Mosques status and thier high status as compaired to other mosques in the world is mentioned, because these are mosques of the Prophets (may Peace Be Upon Him) and this is why offering salat in them has greater blessing. (he writes more that many ulemas have different viewpoint regarding going to Graves and going to these three Mosques)
Near our Masters (i.e Shafi'I) right Concept is that those to whom Imam al-Harmain (Abu al-Mali Abdul Malik al-Jiyoni) and other researches of islam have permitted for them its neither Haram not Makruh to visit grave (qaboor) for Ziyarah,

According to them it means that to go for a journey for Sawab having intentions of complete and utmost blessing is only permissible for these three mosques.

[Sharah Sahih Muslim, Nawawi, Volume 009, Page No. 106]

Ibn e taymiyah said

He said “It is also mustahabb (recommended) to visit the graves of the people of al-Baqee’ and the martyrs of Uhud, to pray for them and ask for forgiveness for them, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to do this, but this is prescribed for all the Muslim graves.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 17/470)



Also Visiting mosque of Quba apart from 3 mosques

For those who still after views of Imam Nawawi Rah take that hadith literally ,

The hadeeth narrated in al-Saheehayn from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to come to Quba’ riding and walking.” According to another report: “and he would pray two rak’ahs there.” (narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also said, “Whoever purifies himself in his house then comes to the mosque of Quba’ and prays there, he will have a reward like that for ‘Umrah.”
references:

►Narrated by Ahmad,

►al-Nasaa’i,

► Ibn Maajah

►and al-Haakim. Al-Haakim classed it as saheeh and al-Dhahabi agreed with him

► Also classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6154
,
this proves that the hadith of only visiting three moques if taken literally is illogical , As Sahabas (Ra) used to Visit janat ul baqi and also visiting Masjid e Quba is recommended

Answering Objection:

Omer (radhiallah) cutting Tree where Prophet (صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلم) took biyah fearing people will worship it

It states it is narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) heard that some people were visiting the tree under which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had accepted the bay’ah of people, so he commanded that it should be cut down.”
[Narrated by Ibn Waddaah in his book al-Bida’ wa’l-Nahiy ‘anhaa, and by Ibn Abi Shaybah in al-Musannaf, 2/375. Its isnaad was classed as saheeh by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari, 7/448]people quote this narration to prove visiting dargahs are haram as people may worship graves so lets demolish them,

Reply
Some use this Hadith, wrongly, to prove that praying under the blessed tree was Shirk. Also, to search for Tabarruk and blessings of Nabi Muhammad (s) and pious people is Shirk and it is for this reason that Sayyidina Umar chopped the tree down.

This is a great lie and some people fabricate this to suit their own ideas and Sayyidina Umar (r) did chop the tree down, because he thought the people praying there were mushriks. (naoozbila)




That kind of a silly thought did not even occur his mind.

This incident -“as recorded in Sahih Bukhari (Kitab al-Maghazi) and Muslim (Kitab al-Imamah) -“ took place because there was controversy over which tree was the one where ba'yah was taken and reliable sources from amongst the Sahabah held that that tree was definitely the wrong tree and the original tree could no longer be located and had vanished .

Sahih Bukhari Book 52 Hadith 205Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

When we reached (Hudaibiya) in the next year (of the treaty of Hudaibiya), not even two men amongst us agreed unanimously as to which was the tree under which we had given the pledge of allegiance, and that was out of Allah's Mercy.

The tree that the Tabi'een were visiting at the Hudaybiyyah , in the the time of Sayyidina Umar was not the real one, but it was in the same valley where the real one was.

Hence, the real reason Umar had the tree chopped down (because it was wrongly attributed to the Prophet (s).
In fact, the mysterious vanishing of the real tree by Allah (swt) shows how important it was

In the last moments of Jabir Bin Abdullah he had lost his sight he use to say: 'If I could see today I would show you where the tree was, where the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) received the Ba’ya of the companions”.

[Sahih Bukhari chap,Al-Magazi]

Imam Ibn Hajar Asqalani says in the commentry: “Some people forgot where this place was like Sa’eed Bin Al-Musayib’s Father, and some knew where it was like Jabir Bin Abdullah”.


[Fathul bari, chapter Bay'a Ridwan]

Imam Tabari said:

During the period of Umar (Radiall hu anhu’s) Khalifet, he went for pilgrimage, when he passed Hudaiba' he asked:“Where is the tree under which the bay’a took place?” A person replied: 'This one”. Someone said: 'This one”. Umar (Radiall hu anhu) said: “Forget the inconvenience”.

[Tafsir Tafhemul Qur’an Surah Fata’h under verse 18 by Sayyid Maududi].

Answering Objection : Hadith of Sahih muslim on Building over the grave

Regarding Hadith of Sahih muslim And it was narrated that Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade plastering over graves, or sitting on them or building over them. Both reports were narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh

Sitting over not around ,the graves is forbidden and no one sits on as grave, I never saw a sane muslim doing it ,Similarly the Dome is like a room build around not over a grave and this has been proved from above what Prophet (صلی اللہ علیھ وآلھ وسلم) and first two caliphs(ra) of Islam were themselves buried in a room not in a open grave.
,By building over them it means structures made over them (not around ) during time of ignorance, Muslims build tomb or shrine around it

Examples of building over the grave by Christians and Jews, Muslims donot do it

This is what is meant by building over graves, Muslims build shrines around not over the graves ,

This is how Shrine of our Prophet Muhammad (salehalawaalihiwasalam) is, And this is how all shrines are built.Wahabis (salafis) need to take English and Arabic lessons to understand the difference between Over and Around

Examples of building over the grave by Christians and Jews, Muslims donot do it

We hope this extreme misquotation of Hadith is cleared, otherwise Quran which is absolute Hujjah proves as shown in tafsirs above.

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answering Objection: Issue of building mosque over a grave

Sunan Dawud Book 20 Hadith 3230 says

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:

The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) cursed women who visit graves those who built mosques over them and erected lamps [end]

This hadith can be explained by a simple logic that even Prophet Muhammad's grave is inside a mosque.Not in the main hall where Salat is offered but according to the most famous and respected by Wahabi (salafi) historian Ibn kathir

Imam at-Tabari and Hafiz Ibn Kathir write, in 88 AH,
that the room of 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) - where there are graves of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), Abu Bakr and 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them)- was joined to the mosque of the Prophet

Reference:

[Tareeh Tabari and Tar'ikh Hafiz Ibn Kathir, Chapter of Government of Walid ibn 'abd al-Malik]

This does not only answers right from Sunnah point of view but also fully refutes the Wahabi claims , Ahlus sunnah doesn't believes in building mosques over a grave or graves inside mosques but attaches graves to the mosque and main prayer and salat hall is still sepeared from the mosque which is a sunnah practice.

Objection: Putting flowers on the graves

Sahih Al Bukhari - Volume 1, Book 4, Number 215

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: Once the Prophet (Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam), while passing through one of the grave-yards of MADINA or MAKKAH heard the voices of two persons who were being tortured in their graves. The Prophet ( said, “These two persons are being tortured not for a major sin (to avoid).” The Prophet then added, “Yes! (they are being tortured for a major sin). Indeed, one of them never saved himself from being soiled with his urine while the other used to go about with calumnies (to make enmity between friends).” The Prophet then asked for a green leaf of a date-palm tree, broke it into two pieces and put one on each grave. On being asked why he had done so, he replied, "I hope that their torture might be lessened, till these get dried."

so putting flowers or petals on a grave is a established sunnah.

On issue of elevation of graves
Sahih Bukhari vol 2 book 23 Hadith 473
Narrated Abu Bakr bin 'Aiyash :

Sufyan At-Tammar told me that he had seen the grave of the Prophet elevated and convex.
Another Hadith proving Elevation of Graves of Sahabas (ra)

It is established that the Prophet placed a rock on top of `Uthman ibn Maz`un's (ra) grave saying:With it I shall designate the grave of my [milk-]brother and later bury in it whoever dies among my relatives

► by Abu Dawud

► al-Bayhaqi in al-Kubra (3:412) with fair chains cf Ibn Hajar,
► Talkhis al-Habir(2:134)

►Ibn al-Mulaqqin,
►Tuhfat al-Muhtaj(2:29)
The complete report states that the Prophet asked a man to place a rock on top of Ibn Maz`un's grave; when he was unable to move it, he rolled up his sleeves and helped him and the whiteness of his arms was visible. Ibn Maz`un was the first of the Muhâjirûn buried in Baqi al-Gharqad.Ibrahim, the Prophet's son, was buried next to him. ."

On issue of elevation of graves

Another Sahih Hadith from Imam Bukhari (Rah) himself
Kharija ibn Zayd said: I can see myself when we were young men [boys] in the time of Uthman [ibn `Affan](ra)The strongest one of us in high jump was he who could jump over the grave of `Uthman ibn Maz`un and clear it
► cited by al-Bukhari in his Sahih chapter-title, "[Placing] a Stalk on Top of the Grave."

► Ibn Hajar said in Fath al-Bari (3:256=1959 ed. 3:223 cf. Taghliq al-Ta`liq):

► "Al-Bukhari narrated it with its chain in al-Tarikh al-Saghir (1:42
. It contains a proof for the licitness of raising high the grave and elevating it above the surface of the earth,
In second hadith it says high jump by sahabas (Ra) which is only possible if grave is high
Imam al-Shawkani admitted that the Salaf built up the graves high as proved from above

Imam Ibn Hibban (rah)

the great Muhadith from Islaaf as Saliheen (rah) [d. 354 AH] said regarding visitation to tomb of Imam Ali Raza bin Musa (ra):قد زرته مراراً کثيرة، وما حلّت بي شدّة في وقت مقامي بطوس، وزرت قبر علي بن موسي الرضا صلوات اﷲ علي جده وعليه، ودعوت اﷲ تعالي إزالتها عنّي إلا استجيب لي، وزالت عنّي تلک الشدّة وهذا شئ جرّبته مراراً فوجدته کذلک، أماتنا اﷲ علي محبة المصطفي وأهل بيته صلي اﷲ وسلم عليه وعليهم أجمعين.
, I have done ziyarah of his tomb many times, during my stay at Tus, whenever I got into any difficulty I went to the grave of Imam Musa raza (ra) and asked Allah for the fulfillment of my need, every time I was answered and my difficulty was removed. This is such a reality that I found it to be true nomatter how many times I did it May Allah grant us death in the true love for Prophet (Peace be upon him) and his blessed Ahlul Bayt. [Ibn Abi Hatim Razi, Kitab al Thiqat, Volume No. 8, Page No. 457, Number: 14411]

Note: Tombs ,Shrines [mizars] are only build around graves of Prophets [alehislam] and awliyas [rah], Not public graves.For public graves orders are to level them.

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