The Ruling on Circumambulating Graves, Reciting the Qur'an, and Sitting Beside Them

Question:
Is circumambulating the graves of the awliya (close friends of Allah) and sitting with them part of tawhid (the oneness of Allah)? What is the ruling on reciting the Qur'an? And is circumambulating the graves of the awliya and sitting with them part of tawhid? What is the ruling on reciting the Qur'an and making du'a' (supplication) at the graves in order to lighten their burden or with the intention of earning reward for them?

Answer:
As for circumambulating graves, this is prohibited. Circumambulating graves is absolutely prohibited. Nothing on the face of the earth is circumambulated except the Ka'bah alone. Nothing on the face of the earth is circumambulated except the Noble Ka'bah, which is the House of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He). One does not circumambulate the Old House. Nothing else on the face of the earth is circumambulated in worship, not graves, not shrines, not anything. Nothing on the face of the earth is circumambulated except this House, the Old House, the House of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). And circumambulating it is not worship of the House; it is worship of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He). It is worship of Allah around His Old House in His mosque and His House, so it is worship of Allah. As for the one who circumambulates a grave, if he believes that this is worship of Allah, and he does not intend the grave but rather circumambulates, in his belief, to draw near to Allah, then this is bid'ah (religious innovation). This is bid'ah and a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah), just as making du'a' at the grave is not permissible. Making du'a' at the grave is not permissible because it is a means to shirk. Prayer at the grave is not permissible, even if the one praying is praying to Allah. Even if the one making du'a' is calling upon Allah, that is not permissible at graves because it is a means to shirk and it is bid'ah. However, if he intends by the circumambulation to draw near to the grave, then this is shirk akbar (major shirk). If he intends by the circumambulation to draw near to the grave and to the deceased, then this is shirk akbar that takes one out of the religion, because he has directed a type of worship to other than Allah (Mighty and Majestic). One should know this, should he not?
As for recitation at the graves, it is bid'ah; it is not prescribed (mashru'). Nothing has come from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), nor from the Companions, nor is there any report that they would come and sit at the grave and recite the Qur'an beside it. But when they visited the graves, they would greet them and make du'a' for them, then leave. He would greet the deceased or the graves: "Peace be upon you, O people of the graves, from among the believers." He would greet them, make du'a' for them, and seek forgiveness for them, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would do when he passed by graves. He would make du'a', greet them: "Peace be upon you, O people of the abodes, from among the Muslims and the believers. And indeed, if Allah wills, we will be joining you. May Allah have mercy on those of us who have gone before and those who come after. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you. O Allah, do not deprive us of their reward, and do not test us after them. And forgive us and them." This is what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to say when he visited graves or passed by them. He did not recite the Qur'an at the graves, nor over the graves, nor over the funerals. These are newly invented innovations for which Allah has not sent down any authority.
As for sitting at the grave, sitting at the grave for a long time, this is i'tikaf (spiritual retreat). This is i'tikaf at the graves, like those who perform i'tikaf at idols, like those who passed with Moses (peace be upon him) by a people who were prostrating to their idols, meaning they were sitting beside them hoping for their blessing, hoping for their benefit. I'tikaf is not performed except in mosques. I'tikaf is worship of Allah, and it is not performed except in mosques. I'tikaf is not performed at graves.