What is the ruling on the guides who guide people to visit the grave of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and the circumambulators in al-Masjid al-Haram?
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The Shaykh : As for what concerns the guides and the circumambulators in al-Masjid al-Haram, if they fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and direct people to what the Shari'ah requires and what the Sunnah brought, and they tell people to greet the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with the best form of greeting him, then greet Abu Bakr, then 'Umar, and then leave, then if they direct them to this action, they are correct and they have a reward, provided they do not hasten for the reward in this world and take money in place of the reward.
And if you ask me what is the most complete form of greeting him? The answer is: what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) taught his ummahSunan an-Nasa'i 1171Sahih (Darussalam) As for this long, extensive supplication, some of which may not be authentic, this has not been transmitted. And whoever does an action for which there is no command from Allah and His Messenger, it is rejected. Whatever has not been transmitted from the acts of worship is rejected. Whatever has not been transmitted is rejected. "Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah, O beloved of Allah, O such and such, O such and such, O such and such" has no basis. "Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings." Then you step forward a little to stand before Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and say, "Peace be upon you, O successor of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah be pleased with you, and may Allah reward you for the ummah of Muhammad with good." And you say the same to 'Umar, and then you leave.
It is mentioned regarding Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he used to greet Abu Bakr and 'Umar, saying, "Peace be upon you, O Abu Bakr, peace be upon you, O 'Umar," and he would walk on. And by Allah, they are better than us, more mindful of Allah, and more eager to obey Allah. And we say the same regarding the circumambulators in al-Masjid al-Haram: if they direct people to what the Shari'ah requires, they are rewarded and recompensed for that, and they are doing good. But if they take them beyond what the Shari'ah requires, then upon them is what is upon one who goes beyond what the Shari'ah requires. Yes.
The questioner : ... after the prayers?
The Shaykh : It came in the question?
The questioner : It means it is added, O Shaykh, so that we benefit. May Allah reward you with good...?
The Shaykh : Yes, visiting the grave of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) after every prayer is an innovation (bid'ah) and is not prescribed. The Companions did not do that, and it is not known that any of the Imams did that. And O, the glory of the Great Allah! You are now in your prayer; if it is a three-unit prayer, how many times do you greet him? Yes, if it is a three-unit prayer?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : A four-unit prayer?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : A two-unit prayer? Once is sufficient, what Allah has prescribed for us. Yes.
And if you ask me what is the most complete form of greeting him? The answer is: what the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) taught his ummah
as-salamu 'alaika ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatAllahi wa baraktuhu
السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاتهIt is mentioned regarding Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he used to greet Abu Bakr and 'Umar, saying, "Peace be upon you, O Abu Bakr, peace be upon you, O 'Umar," and he would walk on. And by Allah, they are better than us, more mindful of Allah, and more eager to obey Allah. And we say the same regarding the circumambulators in al-Masjid al-Haram: if they direct people to what the Shari'ah requires, they are rewarded and recompensed for that, and they are doing good. But if they take them beyond what the Shari'ah requires, then upon them is what is upon one who goes beyond what the Shari'ah requires. Yes.
The questioner : ... after the prayers?
The Shaykh : It came in the question?
The questioner : It means it is added, O Shaykh, so that we benefit. May Allah reward you with good...?
The Shaykh : Yes, visiting the grave of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) after every prayer is an innovation (bid'ah) and is not prescribed. The Companions did not do that, and it is not known that any of the Imams did that. And O, the glory of the Great Allah! You are now in your prayer; if it is a three-unit prayer, how many times do you greet him? Yes, if it is a three-unit prayer?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : A four-unit prayer?
The student: ... .
The Shaykh : A two-unit prayer? Once is sufficient, what Allah has prescribed for us. Yes.