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Fatwa CenterMuslims praying at graves, etc.
Question
My question is concerning the graveyard; I know it's not allowed to pray in a mosque where there is a grave. How could Ayisha (Radiya Allahu Anha) the wife of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) pray in her house where there were three graves? How is it that Muslims are praying in Masjid of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and there is a grave? Please explain briefly how the grave of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) was included in the mosque. Is it right?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
We don't have a sound evidence which confirms that 'Aisha (Radiya Allahu Anha) used to perform prayers in the room where the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and his two companions were buried. Moreover, if there is such an evidence, it becomes the evidence that the majority of Muslim scholars depend on to legalize performing the prayer near a tomb without putting it in front of the worshipper nor glorifying it and taking it as a blessing.
But, it is more proper and with greater reason to avoid such an action, i.e. performing the prayer where there is a tomb.
As for Muslims praying in the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) mosque and there are the tombs of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), Abu Bakr and 'Umar (Radiya Allahu Anhuma), there is no objection to performing prayer there, since the tombs are encompassed by three walls, that prevent worshippers from confronting them. In addition, bringing the tomb into the mosque was not for performing prayers towards it, but it was to expand the area of the mosque, although it was a mistake. The Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) companions did not do so when they expanded the mosque, but al-Walid Ibn 'Abd al-Malik did it after the death of the Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) companions, and he even refused to accept the advice of some of the companions' followers, who blamed his work.
Anyway, it is Haram to perform prayers near a tomb for the sake of blessing and glorification. All Hadith that are narrated concerning cursing those who take tombs as places of worship as well as preventing prayer near tombs have the same ruling.
Here, we state that it is better and more proper to avoid performing prayers near the tombs even if it is not for glorification and blessing.
Allah knows best.
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