What is the ruling on building over a grave?

Question : This questioner says: My father was the supervisor of the construction of a shrine for one of the awliya (close friends of Allah), and he did this work out of ignorance. What is the ruling in this case? And is it permissible for me to demolish this shrine?

Answer : Do you know what a shrine is? It is a structure built over a grave. He says his father was the supervisor of this construction, so he was supervising a forbidden act. The fee he received for his supervision is forbidden for him to keep. As for the questioner’s statement, “Is it permissible for me to demolish it?” I say: If you are able to do so, demolish it, because it is obligatory to demolish the domes that are over graves, whether they are in the shape of a dome, square like the Ka'bah, or otherwise. Every structure built over graves must be demolished. Because it is either shirk (associating partners with Allah) or a means to shirk. Yes. I said if you are able.