Combining the Prohibition of Supplication at Graves with Supplication for the Deceased

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, how do we reconcile the prohibition of making du'a' (supplication) at graves with making du'a' for the deceased when visiting his grave?

Answer:
This is du'a' for the deceased. As for you going to make du'a' for yourself, and not for anyone other than the deceased, this has not been established. Graves are not a place for du'a', and this is one of the means to shirk (associating partners with Allah). Praying at graves, and making du'a' at graves, this is not permissible except for the deceased. Also regarding prayer, you pray for the deceased, and you pray over the grave; this is specifically for the deceased. As for if you come to pray the Dhuha prayer, saying, "This is a sunnah (recommended practice)?" Is this like praying for the deceased? We say, no, this is batil (invalid). Praying at graves is prohibited because it is a means to shirk. But praying over the grave, and praying the funeral prayer in the cemetery, this is specific to the deceased. Yes.