What is the ruling on visiting certain places in Makkah and al-Madinah, such as the Cave of Hira and others?

Question:
What is the ruling on those who go to the Cave of Hira and the library in Makkah and seek blessing from these places?

Answer:
If they believe that these places grant blessing, that is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). Because blessing is from Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He), and it is sought from Him; no one possesses it, neither the Cave of Hira nor the library nor anything else. Blessing is from Allah and is sought from Allah. However, if they think that going to the Cave of Hira or to the library is a cause, that it is a means to blessing, then this is bid'ah (religious innovation) and one of the means to shirk, because these are not causes for blessing. Allah did not make them causes. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not go to the Cave of Hira after the revelation; he did not go to the Cave of Hira. Rather, he did this before the revelation in order to be safe from the polytheists and the harm of the polytheists.
When Allah sent him as a Prophet and Messenger, it is not mentioned that he went to the Cave of Hira, nor that any of the Companions went to the Cave of Hira, nor that any of the Salaf (the earliest generations) of this Ummah (the Muslim community) went to the Cave of Hira, nor that any of the scholars who are followed went to the Cave of Hira up to our time. Rather, this is the practice of the superstitious and the common people who imitate those who call to bid'ah (religious innovation) and newly invented matters. Nor did he go to the birthplace, which they call the birthplace and has now become a library. It is not mentioned that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) went to it, even though there is doubt as to whether this is the birthplace or not? Who proves that this is the birthplace?
This is merely a claim. Even if it were proven to be the birthplace, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not go to it. When he was asked, "Do you go to your house?"—whether this was during the Farewell Pilgrimage or during the Conquest of Makkah—he said, "Has 'Aqil left us any gardens or houses?" 'Aqil ibn Abi Talib, because he sold it. If it were the birthplace, it would not have been sold. 'Aqil did not sell it, and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not approve of it.