The ruling on circumambulating the Prophet's grave, seeking aid from him, and facing it during supplication

Question:
What is the ruling on circumambulating the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? What is the ruling on seeking aid from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)? What is the ruling on facing the grave of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) or turning one's back to it during supplication? And how should one deal with those who do this?

Answer:
These are matters on which there is disagreement. Circumambulation is not permissible except around the Ancient House. Nothing on the face of the earth is circumambulated except the Ancient House. One does not circumambulate buildings, shrines, the graves of the prophets, or the graves of the righteous, because circumambulation is an act of worship. If one intends to draw near to the deceased through circumambulation, that is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). If one intends to draw near to Allah and believes that there is virtue in this place, that is a bid'ah (religious innovation). This is an ugly bid'ah, so circumambulation is not permissible except around the Ancient House. As for visiting the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to greet him and his two companions, this is a prescribed matter that the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did, just as other graves are visited. However, supplication at the grave is not done. If one wishes to make supplication, he should turn away, face the qiblah, and supplicate in the Prophet's Mosque. He supplicates in the Prophet's Mosque facing the qiblah, not facing the grave. It is not permissible to rub oneself against the walls or the windows, for this is seeking blessing from other than Allah. Blessing is sought only from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), and it is not sought from the dead, or from the windows, or from the doors of the Prophet's grave or the graves of the Companions. All of this is ignorance. Yes.