The Ruling on Visiting Graves, Seeking Blessing from Their Soil, and Placing Markers

Question:
I hope you will clarify for me whether it is permissible to visit graves, place markers on them, and take some of the soil and rub it on the body?

Answer:
As for visiting graves, it is a recommended practice (sunnah). The Messenger (peace be upon him) said: . The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) initially forbade visiting graves because the people were people of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and attached themselves to the graves, so he forbade them from doing so. When Islam became established in their hearts and they knew the religion of Allah, He granted them a dispensation (rukhsah) to visit graves, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
As for taking soil from them for blessing, or rubbing oneself with it, or making du'a' (supplication) for their inhabitants, or calling for aid from them, this is reprehensible; this is shirk (associating partners with Allah). As for placing markers, this is a general term; we do not know what is meant by placing markers. If the intention is to place sticks like palm fronds on them or to plant trees on them, this is not permissible. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did this with two graves of those being punished, but he (peace and blessings be upon him) did not do it with other graves. This indicates that it is not prescribed to place palm fronds on graves or to plant trees.
However, if placing markers means: a sign on a grave indicating that this is the grave of so-and-so, such as a stone, a piece of iron, a bone, or something as a sign that it is the grave of so-and-so, then there is no harm. Marking the grave with something that indicates its owner, without writing, is permissible.
As for rubbing oneself with the soil and placing it on the body to seek blessing from them, this is not permissible; this is shirk (associating partners with Allah). Likewise, if they seek blessing from them...: "O owner of the grave, give me your blessing," or "I hope for your blessing," or "Forgive me," or "Help me," or "Heal my sick one," or "Help us against our enemies," or "Aid us," or "Intercede for us," all of this is shirk (associating partners with Allah) and is not permissible with graves. Intercession is in the hand of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He): [Az-Zumar: 44], , He says: [Az-Zumar: 44]. You say: "O Lord! Intercede for Your Prophet," "O Lord, intercede for Your angels and Your prophets," ...: "O Lord, intercede for Your believing servants." As for the dead person, you do not ask him for anything; rather, you make du'a' (supplication) for him, seek forgiveness for him, and show mercy to him. Do not say: "Help us," or "Heal our sick," or "Intercede for us," or "You know what is in our hearts," or "You know our needs." All of this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). We seek refuge in Allah. Yes.

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