The Ruling on Praying Behind the Tomb Worshippers

Question:
Is the prayer valid behind someone who says: “By the excuse of the worshippers of graves”? For I, and many of my brothers, do not pray behind them because we do not declare the grave-worshippers to be disbelievers. And if I pray behind them, I doubt the validity of my prayer and repeat it.

Answer:
One does not pray behind the grave-worshippers among the Muslims; one does not pray behind them. This is because the prayer is not valid behind a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah). Therefore, one does not pray behind the one who worships graves, such as the worshippers of al-Husayn, the worshippers of al-Badawi, and their like, and the worshippers of Shaykh 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, and the worshippers of idols, and others like this. Whoever worships other than Allah, calls upon Him, seeks aid from Him, or circumambulates his grave, or asks Him to fulfill a need, or prays to Him, or slaughters for Him, and the like of that, one does not pray behind them. This is because their apparent state is kufr (disbelief), so one does not pray behind them. Likewise, one does not pray behind the one who calls to that, permits it, or loves it.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good. So, these grave-worshippers, one does not pray behind them, and whoever prays behind them must repeat his prayer?

The Shaykh: Yes, he must repeat the prayer.

The presenter: So, our brother’s action is correct in this case?

The Shaykh: If he prays behind a grave-worshipper, he must repeat his prayer. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.