How should one respond to those who cite the permissibility of bringing a grave into a mosque by pointing to the presence of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) grave in al-Masjid al-Nabawi?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner asks: How should one respond to those who say that the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is currently in al-Masjid al-Nabawi, and use it as evidence for the permissibility of bringing graves into mosques?

Answer:
The grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was in his house, not in the mosque. Rather, his house—the chamber—was incorporated into the mosque, and the grave of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is in it. This was an action taken by al-Walid ibn 'Abd al-Malik (may Allah forgive him), and the scholars did not agree with it; they did not approve of this action. If the house of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) had remained as it was, it would have been better preserved and further removed from doubt. However, if we look at the original state, we find that the mosque was built ten years before the death of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). The mosque was not built over the grave; rather, the grave was brought into it. This is an action that is not pleasing, without a doubt. Yes.