Some have contended that the man’s sole intention was to offer salutations, and that his supplication occurred only incidentally and as a secondary act. This, however, is open to scrutiny.

There is no doubt that the scholars may disagree over issues of this sort, just as they have differed regarding the validity of praying beside a grave; and whoever does not declare such a prayer invalid may likewise refrain from prohibiting the one who performs it.

The decisive criterion remains the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the practice of the earliest generations. Indeed, this very Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan has transmitted reports from the Salaf that support what we have stated. He said:

“ʿUmar ibn Hārūn narrated to me from Salamah ibn Wardān, who said: ‘I saw Anas ibn Mālik greet the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—then lean his back against the wall of the grave and thereafter make supplication.’ ”

If this narration from Anas is authentic, it backs our position. Anas did not live in Madinah; he would come from Basra—whether with the pilgrims or in some similar company—offer salutations to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and when he wished to supplicate—as is suitable for someone like him, incidentally and secondarily—he would turn his back to the grave.

Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan also reported—from ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz …, Muḥammad ibn Ismāʿīl, and others, from Muḥammad ibn Hilāl, and from more than one