The Ruling on Circumambulating Graves

Question:
The questioner says: A person is circumambulating the mosque of al-Husayn while being ignorant of the ruling regarding it. Is this major shirk (associating partners with Allah) or minor shirk?

Answer:
Circumambulating anything other than the Ka'bah, or circumambulating graves, if one is doing it for Allah, intending that this circumambulation is for Allah, and believing that it is prescribed, then it is a bid'ah (religious innovation), because Allah has not prescribed for us circumambulation except around the Old House (the Ka'bah). So whoever circumambulates for Allah, worshipping Allah in a place other than the Old House, is an innovator. However, if he circumambulates to draw near to the grave, circumambulating for the occupant of the grave and drawing near to him, this is major shirk; because he has directed a type of worship to other than Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).