are better than prayer and supplication beside it. When Umar ibn al-Khattāb conquered the city, he said to Kaʿb al-Ahbār, “Where do you think I should build the Muslims’ prayer hall?”

He replied, “Build it behind the Rock.”

Umar said, “Judaism has influenced you, son of a Jewish woman! Rather, I shall build it in front of the Rock, for the foremost parts of mosques belong to us.” He then built this prayer hall, which ordinary people call “al-Aqsā.” He neither rubbed the Rock nor kissed it nor prayed beside it. How could he have done so, when it is established in the Sahīh that, upon kissing the Black Stone, he said, “By Allah, I know that you are a stone that can neither harm nor benefit. Had I not seen the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, kissing you, I would not have kissed you.” When Abdullah ibn Umar came to al-Aqsā Mosque, he would pray there without going to the Rock. The same was true of others among the early generations.

Likewise, kissing or rubbing the burial chamber of our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, the burial chamber of Abraham, the Close Friend of Allah, or other burial places containing a prophet or a righteous man is not recommended, by agreement of the imams. Rather, it is forbidden. Prostrating to any of these is disbelief, as is addressing the deceased in terms with which the Lord is addressed, such as saying, “Forgive me my sins,” or “Grant me victory over my enemy,” and the like.

Section

As for trees, stones, springs, and similar things to which some of the common people make vows