Section

The answer to all the other matters mentioned has now become clear: deliberately choosing to pray and supplicate at what is said to be a prophet’s footprint, a trace left by a prophet, or the grave of a prophet, a Companion, a shaykh, or a member of the Prophet’s household—or at towers or caves—is among the reprehensible innovations introduced into Islam. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not prescribe this. Neither the foremost early Muslims nor those who followed them in righteousness practised it, nor did any of the leading Muslim scholars consider it recommended. Rather, it is among the causes of associating partners with Allah and the avenues leading to falsehood. This subject is discussed at length elsewhere, outside this response.

Section

As for someone saying when he stumbles, “O rank of Muhammad!” or “O Lady Nafīsah!” or “O my master, Shaykh so-and-so!” or similar expressions involving appeals to him for rescue and requests addressed to him, this is forbidden and is of the nature of associating partners with Allah. A deceased person, whether a prophet or anyone else, must not be invoked, petitioned, or called upon for rescue, whether at his grave or far from it. Rather, this is of the same nature as the religion of the Christians who:

“Have taken their rabbis and monks as lords besides Allah, and also the Messiah, son of Mary, although they were commanded to worship only one God. There is no deity worthy of worship except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.”

It is also of the same nature as the practice of those concerning whom He said: