Clarifying the Ruling on Wiping a Grave, Kissing It, and Rubbing One’s Cheek upon It

As for wiping a grave—any grave whatsoever—kissing it, or rubbing one’s cheek against it, these acts are prohibited by unanimous agreement of the Muslims, even if the grave belongs to a prophet. None of the early generations of the ummah or its leading imams ever practiced such things; rather, they fall under shirk (associating partners with Allah).

Allah the Exalted says:

“And they said, ‘Never abandon your gods; never abandon Wadd, Suwaʿ, Yaghūth, Yaʿūq, or Nasr.’ They have already led many astray.” ⦗Q 71:23–24⦘

We explained earlier that these were the names of righteous men from the people of Noah; their community lingered at their graves for a time, and when the years passed they carved images of them—especially once this was coupled with calling upon the dead and seeking their help. That incident has already been cited, together with an explanation of the shirk it involves. We also clarified the difference between the “innovated visitation,” whose practitioners resemble the Christians, and the “prescribed visitation” sanctioned by the law.