a righteous man among them who then passed away, they would construct a mosque over his grave and place those very images inside it. Such people are the worst of creation in Allah’s sight on the Day of Resurrection.”

3 – The ḥadith categorically forbids images in mosques, especially depictions of the righteous, for the resulting temptation is far greater. If the image is a three-dimensional statue, the sin is more severe and the trial more grievous.

4 – The ḥadith also prohibits building mosques upon graves or burying the dead inside mosques, for a reason that will be explained, Allah willing.

5 – It further establishes that prayer is invalid in any mosque that contains graves or statues, because this resembles idol-worship, just as prayer in graveyards has been forbidden.

6 – The text implies that whoever erects a mosque over a grave, buries a deceased person inside a mosque, or installs images and statues therein is counted among the worst of creation, because his deed leads to a grave tribulation—namely, associating partners with Allah.

7 – Building mosques upon graves and setting up images inside them is the practice of the Jews and Christians; whoever imitates them in this deserves the same punishment that awaits them.

8 – Shaykh al-Islam said: The rationale for which the Lawgiver (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade turning graves into places of worship is precisely what led many nations into major shirk or its lesser forms. Associating partners with Allah through a man believed to be pious appeals to people far more than worshipping a piece of wood or stone. Hence you find the idolaters imploring at such graves, humbling themselves, showing submissiveness, and worshipping them in their hearts with a devotion they never display in the houses of Allah, nor during the pre-dawn hours. Most of them hope for blessings from praying and supplicating there that they do not expect from the mosques. To block this evil at its source, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) decisively cut it off,