have no foundation in the Sacred Law. Among these innovations is what people do in the month of Rajab, such as designating a “Rajab ʿumrah” and assigning to that month particular acts of devotion—voluntary prayers or fasting observed only in Rajab—for this month holds no special merit above other months in regard to ʿumrah, fasting, prayer, sacrificial slaughter, or anything else.

Likewise, the various Sufi litanies are all innovations and newly-invented practices, because they differ from the prescribed remembrances in their wording, form, and timing.

Another example is singling out the night of mid-Shaʿbān for night-vigil and its day for fasting; nothing specific on this matter has been authentically established from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

Also included are constructing structures over graves, turning them into mosques, visiting them to seek blessing, appealing to the dead as intermediaries, and other practices tinged with polytheism. The same applies to women visiting graves, for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed the frequent female visitors of graves and those who build mosques and place lamps upon them.