The ruling on visiting the Prophet's grave for the pilgrim

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner asks: What is the ruling on visiting the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during Hajj? And is the visit considered one of the acts of Hajj?

Answer:
It is not permissible to travel specifically to visit the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) matters. The intention for traveling to the Prophet's Mosque should be to pray in it, and the visit follows as a secondary matter. So, whoever is in Madinah, whether he is from its people or is coming to it, the one in Madinah who came from a journey or the one coming to it from outside Madinah, it is recommended for them to visit the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and greet him.
As for intending to travel specifically to visit the grave, that is a bid'ah (religious innovation) and a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah). Also, Allah has not prescribed this; Allah has not prescribed that the visit be part of Hajj, or that it be attached to Hajj. Rather, its time is broad: one may visit before Hajj, visit after Hajj, or visit in any month. The matter is broad, and praise be to Allah; it has no connection to Hajj.