Guidance for those who visit graves and seek blessing from them

Question:
Our brother asks about the issue of graves, which has caused much fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) among many people. He says: We have a custom in our country where people visit a grave and seek blessing from it, claiming that it is one of the graves of the Companions. We ask that you guide the people. May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Graves have caused fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) among many people in the past and in this Ummah (the Muslim community). The Jews and the Christians were also afflicted by this; they worshipped graves and took them as idols, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And when two of his wives in Abyssinia informed him that they had seen a church in Abyssinia containing images, he said: Thus, he considered them the worst of creation because of this action; for they honor them through image-making and construction, ask them to fulfill their needs, relieve their distress, and seek blessing from the dust of their graves, among other ugly deeds. For this reason, they deserved the curse.
And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the hadith of Jundub, as narrated by Muslim in the Sahih: And he said in the hadith of Ibn Mas'ud: .
Therefore, it is obligatory to beware of this blameworthy characteristic, which the Jews and Christians followed, namely honoring graves by building upon them, establishing mosques over them, constructing domes, seeking blessing from them, invoking their occupants, calling upon them for aid, slaughtering animals for them, making vows to them, and seeking their assistance. This is a great calamity, part of which is bid'ah (religious innovation) and part of which is shirk (associating partners with Allah).
Establishing mosques over graves is bid'ah (religious innovation). Constructing domes and plastering them is all part of bid'ah (religious innovation), and among the causes and means of shirk (associating partners with Allah). For this reason, it is established in Sahih Muslim from Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with them both): Because plastering and building upon a grave is a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah) and excessive honor. Likewise, constructing a dome over it, or a mosque over it, is all among the causes of shirk (associating partners with Allah). Likewise, reciting the Qur'an at the grave and praying there are among the bid'ah (religious innovation).
As for seeking assistance and asking for aid, this is shirk akbar (major shirk). This is worship of other than Allah . It is obligatory for the Ummah (the Muslim community) to beware of this, and it is obligatory for the scholars to clarify this to the Ummah (the Muslim community) and warn them of this shirk (associating partners with Allah) and these bid'ah (religious innovation), so that perhaps they may be saved from it. Likewise, everyone who has knowledge should disseminate it among the people and teach it to them. Allah the Exalted says: [Surah Fussilat: 33].
And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And when he would deliver the sermon, (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him), he would say to the people: .
This affliction has spread in the world, in Islamic lands and elsewhere. It is clinging to graves, building upon them, rubbing against them, asking them for needs, relieving distress, and seeking assistance. This is a great calamity and a great evil, and one must beware of it.
Bid'ah (religious innovation) is always a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah). So the causes of this shirk (associating partners with Allah) are honoring graves by building upon them, establishing mosques over them, praying at them, and reciting at them. When these bid'ah (religious innovation) were found, they led people to shirk (associating partners with Allah), exaggeration regarding graves, and worshipping them instead of Allah, through invocation, calling for aid, slaughtering for them, making vows to them, and seeking their assistance. This is shirk akbar (major shirk).
Therefore, one must beware of this and repent to Allah from it. It is obligatory to demolish the structures built over graves, such as mosques and others, and the graves should be left exposed, with no structure upon them, as was the case in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in al-Baqi'. Likewise, in Islamic lands that are free from this fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). It is upon the scholars, and upon the rulers, the rulers of the Muslims, to address these conditions, remove them from among them, and warn the people of them. The graves should be exposed, with no structure upon them, no dome, no mosque, or anything else. May Allah grant everyone guidance and insight.

The presenter: O Allah, amen. O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good.