Q 4: What is the ruling on a person who makes graves of marble and other (Part No. 9; Page No. 127) materials, is his earning lawful or not? Is it permissible for me to take a loan from him?

A: It has been authentically narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said: May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they have taken the graves of their Prophets as places of worship. Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. It was also authentically reported that he (peace be upon him) said: Beware of those who preceded you and used to take the graves of their prophets and righteous men as places of worship, but you must not take graves as Masjids (Mosques) I forbid you to do that. Related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith. It is also narrated in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Jabir ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade plastering graves, sitting on them, and building over them. Al-Tirmidhy added with a sound Sanad (chain of narration): and inscribing on them. It is not permissible to take a loan from those working in building the graves, plastering it and the like unless they have another lawful way of earning.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.