the grave when greeting the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and supplicating for him. This is the position of most scholars, including Mālik according to one of the two reports from him, al-Shāfi'ī, Ahmad, and others. According to Abū Hanīfah’s followers, however, one should not face the grave even when greeting him.

Some of them said that one should keep the chamber to one’s left and greet him—a position also transmitted by Ibn Wahb from Mālik. Others said that one should instead turn one’s back to the chamber and greet him. This is their well-known position. Nevertheless, Mālik disapproved of standing at the grave for a prolonged period for this purpose.

Qādī 'Iyād said, citing Mālik’s statement in al-Mabsūt:

“I do not consider it appropriate for someone to stand at the Prophet’s grave, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, supplicating. Rather, he should offer greetings and leave.”

He continued: Nāfi' said:

“Ibn 'Umar used to offer greetings at the grave. I saw him a hundred times or more come to the grave and say, ‘Peace be upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Peace be upon Abū Bakr. Peace be upon my father.’ Then he would leave. He was also seen placing his hand on the Prophet’s seat on the pulpit, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and then placing it on his face.”

He also said:

“Ibn Abī Qusayt and al-Qa'nabī reported that, when the mosque was empty, the Prophet’s Companions, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would touch with their right hands the knob of the pulpit facing the grave, then turn towards the qiblah and supplicate.”

He continued:

“In al-Muwatta', as transmitted by Yahyā ibn al-Laythī, he—meaning Ibn 'Umar—would stand at the Prophet’s grave, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and invoke blessings upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and upon Abū Bakr and 'Umar. In Ibn al-Qāsim’s version, as cited by al-Marwadhī, the wording is: ‘And he would supplicate for Abū Bakr and 'Umar.’”

Mālik said, in Ibn Wahb’s transmission:

“He says, ‘Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.’”

He also said in al-Mabsūt:

“And he offers greetings to Abū Bakr and 'Umar.”