And likewise, no one should say to a prophet or righteous person who has died:

“O Prophet of Allah, O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah for me. Ask Allah on my behalf. Ask Allah to forgive me. Ask Allah to forgive me, guide me, grant me victory, or grant me well-being.”

Nor should anyone say: “I complain to you of my sins, my diminished provision, or the enemy’s domination over me,” or: “I complain to you of so-and-so, who has wronged me.” Nor should anyone say: “I am staying with you; I am your guest; I am your neighbour,” or: “You grant protection to whoever seeks it,” or: “You are the best refuge in which to seek shelter.”

Nor should anyone write a paper and hang it at graves, or draw up a written statement declaring that he has sought protection from so-and-so and take that statement to someone who will act upon it, or engage in similar practices performed by those who introduce religious innovations among the People of the Book and the Muslims. Christians do such things in their churches, as do innovators among the Muslims at the graves of prophets and righteous people, or in their absence.

It is an indisputable fact of the religion of Islam, established through mass transmission and the consensus of the Muslims, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not prescribe these practices for his community. Likewise, the prophets before him prescribed none of these things. Indeed, the People of the Book possess no transmitted account from the prophets supporting such practices, just as the Muslims possess no transmitted account from their Prophet supporting them.

None of their Prophet’s Companions, nor those who followed them in righteousness, did this. Nor did any of the imams of the Muslims consider it recommended—neither the four imams nor anyone else. No imam stated, whether in works on the rites of Hajj or elsewhere, that it is recommended for anyone to ask the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, at his grave to intercede for him or pray for his community, or to complain to him of the calamities that have befallen his community in worldly or religious matters.

After his death, his Companions were afflicted with various trials: at times with drought, at times with diminished provision, at times with fear and the strength of the enemy, and at times with sins and acts of disobedience