The Obligation of Muslims Regarding Mosques That Contain Graves
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Question:
You state in another question: All the mosques in our village contain graves, and they are also named after these deceased individuals. There is only a single wall separating the place where prayer is performed from the graves. Is it permissible to pray in these mosques, given that their imams believe that the occupants of the graves are righteous awliya (close friends of Allah), and they associate them with Allah in their supplications?
Answer:
Mosques that contain graves are not to be prayed in, if the grave is inside the mosque, within the mosque’s enclosure; then one does not pray in it. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 529, which is agreed upon as authentic. It is also based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih Muslim 532. Thus, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade making graves into mosques. Praying near them is making them into mosques, and building over them is making them into mosques, if built over for the purpose of prayer. Therefore, it is not permissible to pray near them, nor is it permissible to make them into mosques by building over them. For this reason, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 529.
As for if the grave is outside the mosque, to the right of the mosque, or to its left, or in front of it, separated by walls, then there is no harm. But if it is inside the mosque, it is not permissible. And if a grave is placed in the mosque, the obligatory action is to dig it up. If the grave is the later addition and the mosque existed previously, then the grave is dug up and the remains are transferred to the public cemetery, and prayer is performed in the mosque.
However, if the grave is the older one and the mosque was built over it to honor it, then the mosque is the one that must be demolished, and one does not pray in it. The graves remain as they are without mosques, and one does not pray in them or near them. This is because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed those who did this (peace and blessings be upon him) and warned against it (peace and blessings be upon him).
The wisdom behind this is that praying near graves and making them into mosques are among the means of shirk (associating partners with Allah) with their occupants, and calling upon them other than Allah, and taking them as deities alongside Allah. Therefore, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited this to block the means to shirk and to cut off its avenues. It is not permissible to pray behind imams who call upon the occupants of graves, seek their aid, and exalt them. These are mushriks (those who associate partners with Allah) if they call upon the occupants of graves, seek their aid, and make vows to them. These become mushriks, and one does not pray behind them. Rather, one prays behind imams who are upright upon the religion of Allah, known for tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and faith, not for shirk. We ask Allah for guidance for all of us. Yes.
The presenter : O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good.
You state in another question: All the mosques in our village contain graves, and they are also named after these deceased individuals. There is only a single wall separating the place where prayer is performed from the graves. Is it permissible to pray in these mosques, given that their imams believe that the occupants of the graves are righteous awliya (close friends of Allah), and they associate them with Allah in their supplications?
Answer:
Mosques that contain graves are not to be prayed in, if the grave is inside the mosque, within the mosque’s enclosure; then one does not pray in it. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Allah cursed the Jews and the Christians that they took the graves of their prophets as mosques
لعن الله اليهود والنصارى اتخذوا قبور أنبيائهم مساجدBeware of those who preceded you and used to take the graves of their prophets and righteous men as places of worship, but you must not take graves as mosques; I forbid you to do that.
ألا وإن من كان قبلكم كانوا يتخذون قبور أنبيائهم وصالحيهم مساجد، ألا فلا تتخذوا القبور مساجد؛ فإني أنهاكم عن ذلكAllah cursed the Jews and the Christians that they took the graves of their prophets as mosques
لعن الله اليهود والنصارى اتخذوا قبور أنبيائهم مساجدAs for if the grave is outside the mosque, to the right of the mosque, or to its left, or in front of it, separated by walls, then there is no harm. But if it is inside the mosque, it is not permissible. And if a grave is placed in the mosque, the obligatory action is to dig it up. If the grave is the later addition and the mosque existed previously, then the grave is dug up and the remains are transferred to the public cemetery, and prayer is performed in the mosque.
However, if the grave is the older one and the mosque was built over it to honor it, then the mosque is the one that must be demolished, and one does not pray in it. The graves remain as they are without mosques, and one does not pray in them or near them. This is because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed those who did this (peace and blessings be upon him) and warned against it (peace and blessings be upon him).
The wisdom behind this is that praying near graves and making them into mosques are among the means of shirk (associating partners with Allah) with their occupants, and calling upon them other than Allah, and taking them as deities alongside Allah. Therefore, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited this to block the means to shirk and to cut off its avenues. It is not permissible to pray behind imams who call upon the occupants of graves, seek their aid, and exalt them. These are mushriks (those who associate partners with Allah) if they call upon the occupants of graves, seek their aid, and make vows to them. These become mushriks, and one does not pray behind them. Rather, one prays behind imams who are upright upon the religion of Allah, known for tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and faith, not for shirk. We ask Allah for guidance for all of us. Yes.
The presenter : O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.