do such things. The Rightly Guided Caliphs and the majority of the Companions, however, did not regard this as recommended, because it does not constitute following his example. Following his example necessarily involves intention: if he did not intend that particular action, but it occurred merely by chance, then deliberately doing it does not constitute following his example.

Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, maintained that even if the Prophet had not intended it, the act itself was good, however it occurred, and so he liked to do the same—either because this increased his love for him or because of the blessing of resembling him. This includes giving dates as zakāt al-fitr when dates are not one’s staple food. Ahmad agreed with Ibn Umar on such matters and permitted actions like those Ibn Umar performed. Likewise, following Ibn Umar, Ahmad permitted rubbing one’s hand over the place where the Prophet sat on the pulpit.

Two positions are reported from Ahmad concerning rubbing one’s hand over the pulpit. The better-known position is that it is disliked, as the majority hold. Mālik and other scholars disliked these practices even though Ibn Umar performed them, since the leading Companions, such as Abū Bakr, Umar, Uthmān and others, did not do so.

It is established through an authentic chain of transmission that Umar ibn al-Khattāb, may Allah be pleased with him, was travelling when he saw people frequenting a place to pray there. He asked, “What is this?”

They replied, “A place where the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed.”

He said, “Do you wish to turn the sites associated with your prophets into places of worship? This is precisely what destroyed those before you. Whoever happens to be there when prayer is due should pray there; otherwise, let him continue on his way.”