Is there a difference between praying over a grave and praying for an absent person with the intention?

Question : Is there a difference between praying over a grave and praying for an absent person with the intention? And if a person dies and I am of age to be held accountable, am I permitted to pray for him and offer my prayer for him?

Answer : Yes, there is a difference between them. Praying over a grave is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who the deceased who used to stand in the mosque. Praying for an absent person is established only in the case of the Najashi, and you know what is in that. However, praying over a grave is not done unless the deceased who was buried was alive during the time when the one praying was of age to pray. For this reason, it is not recommended for us to pray for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as an absent person, or for the Companions.