Q: This question is about some advice that came from Makkah, from Hajji `Abdullah ibn Mustafa, who said, “I was sleeping when I saw the Messenger (peace be upon him) who commanded me to convey this message to all Muslims that they should believe and cooperate with one another. Anyone who reads this message should write it eight times; those who do not spread it will be punished by illness, but those who do spread it will rejoice after ten days. If any one writes to refute this, they will be punished by dying as a Kafir (disbeliever).” Is this true or is it a lie? Also, what is the ruling on people who visit the domes built over graves, bringing with them some chickens or sheep to slaughter near the shrine of a dead person, saying: “This deceased person is a saint.”? Is this Haram (unlawful) or Halal (lawful)?

A: Firstly: This is a false Ru’ya (vision) and a baseless story, and is of the same type of the fabricated vision that was once attributed to the attendant of the Prophet’s grave. (Part No. 1; Page No. 390)  His Eminence Shaykh `Abdul-`Aziz ibn Baz wrote a long article that was published in the local and other newspapers on this matter. Secondly: Tawaf (Circumambulation) around graves is Haram, and if it is performed with the intention of drawing closer to the deceased occupant of the grave, this is major Shirk (major form of associating others in worship with Allah) that takes the doer outside the fold of Islam. Tawaf is an act of ‘Ibadah (worship), as Allah (Exalted be He) says (what means): ...and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka‘bah at Makkah). Therefore, making an act or a part of an act of worship for other than Allah is Shirk. Thirdly: Slaughtering animals at graves is forbidden, and if it is performed with the intention of drawing closer to the occupant of the grave, this is major Shirk, as Allah (Glorified be He) says: Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). "He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims." “Nusuk” here means “slaughtering a sacrifice.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said, “Allah has cursed the one who slaughters (a sacrifice) to other than Allah.” (Reported by Muslim in his Sahih [Book of Authentic Hadith]) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.