The ruling on praying in a mosque built over graves

Question:
We begin with a letter from the questioner Muhammad. He says: Peace be upon you. In our town, a mosque was built over the graves. We did not know there were graves there until a man dug and found people's bones. Is it permissible to pray in that mosque?

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. As for what follows, it is known from the Prophetic Sunnah and the words of the scholars that it is not permissible to build mosques over graves, because this is a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the one who does this because it is a means to shirk. Regarding what the questioner mentioned about their mosque being built over a graveyard, the department responsible for mosques should review this matter, as they are responsible for such things. The mosque should be moved, as it is a later addition and the graves predate it. The mosque should be removed and built in another location. Yes.