Mistakes made when visiting the Prophet’s Mosque

The mistakes that some pilgrims make when visiting the Prophet’s Mosque are of several types: 

-1- 

Some pilgrims believe that visiting the Prophet’s Mosque is something that has to do with Hajj, and that Hajj is not valid without it. Some of the ignorant even think that it is more essential than Hajj. This is a false belief, because there is no connection between going for Hajj and visiting the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Hajj is complete without it, and it is complete without Hajj, but since ancient times people have made the visit to the Prophet’s Mosque part of the journey to Hajj, because it is difficult to travel twice. But it is not more essential than Hajj, because Hajj is one of the pillars and basic principles of Islam, which is not the case with visiting the Prophet’s Mosque. We do not know of any scholar who said that it is obligatory to visit the Prophet’s Mosque or the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). 

With regard to the report which says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever goes for Hajj and does not visit me has snubbed me,” these are words that are falsely attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and go against the well known teachings of Islam. If it were true then visiting his grave would be one of the most obligatory of duties. 

-2- 

Some visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque circumambulate the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and touch the grille and walls of the room. They may even kiss them and lay their cheeks against them. All of these are reprehensible innovations, for circumambulation (tawaaf) around anything other than the Ka’bah is a forbidden innovation (bid’ah). The same applies to touching, kissing or pressing one’s cheeks against the walls; such actions are prescribed only in the right areas of the Ka’bah. Worshipping Allaah by doing such actions at the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) will only take a person further away from Allaah. 

-3- 

Some visitors touch the mihrab, minbar and walls of the mosque to seek blessings. All of that is bid’ah. 

-4- 

This is the most serious mistake: 

Some visitors pray to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to relieve distress or to grant them something they desire. This is major shirk which puts a person beyond the pale of Islam, and Allaah and His Messenger do not approve of this. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And the mosques are for Allaah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allaah”

[al-Jinn 72:18]

“And your Lord said: Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Verily, those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation!”

[Ghaafir 40:60]

 “Say: ‘It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to the Right Path’”

[al-Jinn 72:21]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) denounced a man who said “Whatever Allaah and you will.” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Are you making me a rival with Allaah? What Allaah alone wills.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah 2118. So what about one who calls upon the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to relieve his distress and to bring him benefits, when he is the one to whom Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘I possess no power over benefit or hurt to myself except as Allaah wills’”

[al-A’raaf 7:188]

“Say: ‘It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to the Right Path’”

[al-Jinn 72:21]? 

So the believer should put his hopes in his Creator Who has the power to fulfil his hopes and relieve him of his fears, and he should acknowledge the rights of his Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to be believed in, loved and followed , both outwardly and inwardly. He should ask Allaah to make him steadfast in that, and not seek to worship Allaah in any way other than that which He has prescribed.