whether a caretaker or otherwise, must be forbidden to do so and prevented from doing it. The ruler is rewarded for restraining such people. Whoever does not desist must receive a discretionary punishment sufficient to deter him. At the very least, he must be removed from his position as caretaker. No one should be left to command people to do what is not part of the Muslims’ religion.

Earnings acquired through such practices are tainted, like the earnings of those who lie about Allah and His Messenger and receive payment for doing so, or those of the custodians of idols who command people to associate partners with Allah and receive payment for doing so. These practices are among the prohibited means, inducements and constituent elements of associating partners with Allah. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

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

Reported by Mālik in al-Muwatta’ and elsewhere. He also said:

“Do not make my grave a place of recurring observance. Send blessings upon me wherever you may be, for your blessings reach me.”

Reported by Abū Dāwūd and others.

The two Sahīh collections report that he said:

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

He was warning against what they had done. ‘Ā’ishah said: “Were it not for that, his grave would have been left exposed, but he was averse to its being made a place of prayer.”

The Sahīh also reports that, five days before his death, he said:

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

The Musnad and the Sahīh of Abū Hātim report that he, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: “Among the worst of people are those who