The Companions' Position on Statues and Monuments in Egypt

Question:
May Allah reward you. The Honorable Shaykh, he says: What was the position of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) during the time of 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) regarding the statues and monuments that exist in Egypt to this day?

Answer:
First, these were not idols; they were merely remains, specifically Pharaonic tombs. They were not idols; these are the tombs of the Pharaohs, which they built over their graves. So these fall under the category of building structures over graves, but they were not worshipped.
Also, they say that some of the calamity, or that some of the Companions, did not have the capability to demolish the Sphinx because they lacked the means. Also, some say that during the time of the Companions, they were buried and covered with sand, so they were not visible. The smashing of statues is clear in the Book of Allah the Exalted: Ibrahim (peace be upon him) smashed the statues, and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), when he conquered Makkah, demolished the idols that were in the valley and those outside Makkah. So demolishing idols is obligatory upon the Muslims if they are able to do so. Also, it is not limited to statues; it also includes innovations on graves, namely the shrines that are worshipped other than Allah today. One starts with them and they are removed, as in the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) So it is not limited to demolishing statues, but the statues and the graves are also demolished, the buildings on them are removed, the trees and inscriptions are taken away, and they are made into ordinary graves. But consider and look: as for the fact that the shrines and sanctuaries remain, this is a deficiency and does not suffice for the required purpose.