studying.’”

“Nor would he command you to take the angels and prophets as lords. Would he command you to disbelieve after you have submitted to Allah?”

Thus, whoever takes the angels and prophets as lords has disbelieved after embracing Islam, by the consensus of the Muslims. For this reason, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, forbade building mosques over graves and setting up any rival to Allah in matters exclusive to His lordship.

It is reported from him in the two Sahīh collections that he said:

“May Allah curse the Jews and Christians: they took the graves of their prophets as places of worship.”

He was warning against what they had done. It is also reported from him in the Sahīh collection that he said:

“Those who came before you used to take graves as places of worship. Beware! Do not take graves as places of worship, for I forbid you to do so.”

It is reported from him in the Sunan collections that he said:

“Do not make my grave a place of recurring gatherings.”

It has also been reported from him that he said:

“O Allah, do not make my grave an idol that is worshipped.”

A man said to him, “Whatever Allah wills and you will.” He replied, “Have you made me a rival to Allah? Say: ‘Whatever Allah alone wills.’”

For this reason, the scholars have said that whoever visits the grave of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, should neither touch it reverentially nor kiss it, nor liken the dwelling of a created being to the House of the Creator, whose Black Stone corner is touched and kissed, while its Yemeni Corner is touched. Accordingly, the scholars agree that kissing or reverentially touching any stone is not prescribed—with the exception of the two Yemeni corners. Even the “Station of Abraham” in Mecca is neither kissed nor rubbed. How much more, then, does this apply to other stations and shrines?