What is prescribed and forbidden at graves

Question:
He says: Innovations occur at the graves of many Muslims, Honorable Shaykh. Perhaps you have some guidance?

Answer:
Yes, religious innovations (bid'ah) occur at graves, and indeed, associating partners with Allah (shirk) occurs at graves by some people, and there is no power or might except with Allah. This is either due to ignorance and the scarcity of those who teach them and remind them, or due to bad creed. In any case, this is a matter that is not permissible: innovating at graves, calling for aid from the dead, slaughtering for graves, making vows, or any other types of worship. All of these are acts of shirk or newly invented innovations. What is prescribed regarding graves is that they are visited for the sake of taking a lesson and remembering the Hereafter, and that one greets the dead and prays for them with forgiveness and mercy. Ha. This is what is prescribed at graves. They must be protected from desecration; they must be prevented from being desecrated, from people passing through them, from animals walking on them, and from throwing filth on them. They are protected from this because they are the graves of Muslims, the dwellings of Muslims, so they are respected and kept from desecration. However, they are not to be exalted or glorified, nor is it to be believed that their owners can benefit or harm. Rather, they are in need of the living to pray for them and give charity on their behalf. As for the dead, their deeds have ended, as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned. So the dead person is in need of the living to pray for him, seek forgiveness for him, give charity on his behalf, and perform Hajj and 'Umrah on his behalf. This benefits him by the permission of Allah. As for the living person being in need of the dead, this is the opposite of the Shari'ah and the opposite of the innate natural disposition (fitrah). Yes. the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned. So the dead person is in need of the living to pray for him, seek forgiveness for him, give charity on his behalf, and perform Hajj and 'Umrah on his behalf. This benefits him by the permission of Allah. As for the living person being in need of the dead, this is the opposite of the Shari'ah and the opposite of the innate natural disposition (fitrah). Yes.