If a grave is behind the mosque, is it permissible to pray in it?

The questioner : Please, my brother. Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace.

The questioner : No, may Allah forbid it, Muhammad.

The Shaykh : All praise is due to Allah.

The questioner : Two questions, if you please. The first question: I caught up with the prayer while I was outside my country. After the prayer, while I was outside the mosque, I saw a grave attached to the mosque behind the qiblah direction, opposite the qiblah direction. So, did I have to repeat the prayer?

The Shaykh : Do not repeat it.

The questioner : I will not repeat it. May Allah reward you.

The Shaykh : Because this grave may have been buried in the mosque, meaning the mosque was not built over it, but it was buried there afterwards. And if this grave was buried after the mosque was built and is behind the worshippers, it does not affect their prayer at all.

The questioner : May Allah keep you safe.

The Shaykh : But it is obligatory to dig up this grave and move the deceased to the cemeteries.