regarding the ruling on building structures over graves in cemeteries, even if made of stone and raised above the ground, with evidence?

Question:
He asks about the ruling on building structures over graves in cemeteries, even if made of stone and raised above the ground, with evidence? We ask you, Honorable Shaykh, for clarification. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
They should be in the belly of the earth by digging and making a niche. If the soil does not hold together and the earth collapses, there is no harm in digging a pit and then building walls on its sides to prevent the soil from collapsing on the deceased. This is what is prescribed: that graves be in the belly of the earth as much as possible. It is not permissible to build a raised structure over them, because this is a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah). A grave is only leveled with its soil, and a grave raised by a hand’s span from the ground is sufficient. This is the first prescribed thing so that it is known to be a grave. Stones are placed at its edges to mark its boundaries so that it is known to be a grave and not desecrated. As for building a raised structure over it, this is haram (forbidden), a deviation from the path, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade building over graves. He said (peace and blessings be upon him) to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib: I leveled it with the ground and demolished the structure over it. The grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the graves of his Companions, as we have described, did not rise, and there was nothing on them.
They were not raised, but were only marked by their soil and raised slightly from the ground before shirk (associating partners with Allah). This is how graves were in Islam. As for building over them, building domes and shrines over them, this is among the means to shirk (associating partners with Allah) and among the customs of the People of the Book, whom we are forbidden to imitate. This is a matter of great danger to the community. The structures that were innovated over graves caused a great fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) in Islam.
They were worshipped besides Allah, vows were made to them, people would perform Hajj to them, rub against them, and circumambulate them. All of this is due to deviating from the Prophetic guidance in the matter of graves. And thus, deviating from the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) brings nothing but evils and misfortunes. There is no deviation from the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)
but it contains great evil, especially in the matter of the community. It is obligatory for Muslims to review their religious affairs and act according to the guidance of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding these shrines by demolishing them, just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) acted by demolishing them, based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): I removed the structure over it. This is what is obligatory in Islam. Yes. May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.