Q: Is it permissible to join people during circumambulation around graves to guide them, as this is the only way to make them stop walking around the graves? Is there any Muslim scholar who holds this opinion? What is the ruling on one who holds that circumambulating the graves with people is permissible in order to save them and for the sake of Da`wah (calling to Islam)?

A: The ruling of circumambulating the graves varies according to the intention of the circumambulator.1- If they circumambulate for the sake of drawing near to the people of the graves, it is major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship that takes the Muslim out of Islam). This is because this is an act of worship dedicated to other than Allah and whoever dedicates any act of worship to other than Allah (Part No. 1; Page No. 146) commits Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship).2- If they circumambulate graves with the intention of drawing near to Allah, it is a prohibited Bid`ah (innovation in Islam) and one of the means of Shirk. Allah did not prescribe that Muslims circumambulate any place but the Honorable Ka`bah.3- If they do not intend to draw near to Allah or to the dead, but walk with people around the grave to call them to the truth, this is wrong and prohibited. This involves imitating the circumambulators in their action and it is not permissible as a way of Da`wah. Therefore, whoever sees Muslims doing so must advise and reprimand them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.