at a grave; nevertheless, Islamic law has blocked the means leading to wrongdoing, just as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited prayer at sunrise and sunset because the disbelievers prostrate to the sun at those times, even though someone praying to Allah does not intend to do that.

Likewise, he prohibited taking graves as places of prayer, even when the worshipper prays only to Allah. He said:

“Whoever imitates those other than us is not one of us.”

He also said:

“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”

And Allah knows best.

He was asked about a man who went one morning to “al-Takrūrī” to look on and drowned: “Is he a sinner or a martyr?”

He replied:

Those who set out for this grave to pray beside it, use it as a means in supplication, rub themselves against it, kiss it, or do similar prohibited things; or to engage in anything Allah has forbidden, such as indecent acts, drinking wine, or playing pipes; or to watch these people and observe those committing sins without denouncing them—are disobeying Allah by making this journey. Their affair rests with Allah Most High, and it is hoped that, through their drowning, they will receive Allah’s mercy. And Allah knows best.