have deemed anything termed visitation recommended and have condemned those who distinguish between visitation prescribed by the religion and innovated visitation. He mentioned that it is disliked for the people of Medina to stand at the grave, even if they intend merely to offer the greeting of peace, except when travelling. He also mentioned that making the mosque one’s destination is recommended and that Muslims have always done so. He said:

“Section on the ruling on visiting his grave:

Visiting his grave is a Sunnah unanimously accepted among Muslims and a virtuous deed that is encouraged.”

He said:

“Mālik disapproved of saying, ‘We visited the grave of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.’”

Then he said:

“Ishāq ibn Ibrāhīm, the jurist, said: ‘Those who perform Hajj have always made a practice of passing through Medina and intending to pray in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, seeking blessings through seeing his Rawdah (garden), his pulpit, his grave, the place where he sat, the places his hands touched and his feet trod, and the pillar against which he used to lean, and where Gabriel would descend upon him with revelation; and through the Companions, Successors, and leading scholars of the Muslims who frequented it and made it their destination, while reflecting on all of this.’”

He thus made clear that the consensus they reported includes the intention to pray in his mosque, and that the grave is among the sites associated with him. Yet these people claimed that he reported a consensus on travelling solely to the grave. He mentioned neither that nor anything indicating it; rather, he mentioned several things to the contrary. These people were mistaken about what he reported and did not understand the Sunnah and consensus relating to this matter. This ruling is invalid by consensus.