that he did it, and because it involves the waste of wealth without benefit, and an excess in the veneration of graves, resembling the veneration of idols. It is not permissible to take graves as mosques, due to this report; and because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: "May Allah curse the Jews; they took the graves of their prophets as mosques." He was warning against doing as they did. Agreed upon (34). 'Aishah said: The grave of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was only not left exposed so that it would not be taken as a mosque (35). Also, because dedicating graves to prayer near them resembles the veneration of idols through prostrating to them and seeking nearness to them. We have already narrated that the beginning of idol worship was the veneration of the dead by taking their images, wiping them, and praying near them (36).

Section: Burial in the cemeteries of the Muslims is more pleasing to Abu 'Abd Allah than burial in houses, because it is less harmful to the living among his heirs, more similar to the dwellings of the Hereafter, and greater in terms of supplication for him and seeking mercy for him. The Companions, the Successors, and those who came after them did not cease to be buried in the open lands. If it is said: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was buried in his house, and his two companions were buried with him? We say: 'Aishah said: That was only done so that his grave would not be taken as a mosque. Narrated by al-Bukhari (37). And because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to bury his companions in al-Baqi', and his action is more deserving than the action of another, and his companions only saw this as a special case for him. And because it was narrated: "Prophets are buried where they die" (38), and to protect it (39) from the crowd of visitors, and to distinguish him from others.