Q. Why is the grave of the Prophet (SAWS) in his mosque, is it not forbidden to pray at a grave site? His bones are not even in that place any more.
A. When the Prophet (SAS) died, he was buried in the room of his wife Aisha (RA) in which he lived, this was not a part of the Mosque at that time, nor is it a part of the Mosque at this time. Over the period of time, the mosque was extended and more buildings were erected adjacent to the room. All these adjacent buildings are considered to be part of the mosque. However, the area in which the Prophet (SAS), Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) are buried are not considered to be the mosque for performing Salaah. These are known to be the Prophet’s chamber until today. The belief of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah (Sunni Muslims) is that until this time, the body of the Prophet (SAS) (flesh and bones) is in the same manner as it was when he was buried. This belief is based on the authentic and reliable traditions in which the Prophet (SAS) said, ‘Certainly, Allah has made it haram upon the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets’. (Abu Dawood, Nasai).
In another hadith, Anas bin Malik (RA) has stated that the Prophet (SAS) said, ‘The prophets are alive in their graves’. (Musnad Abu Ya’la). There are other similar traditions recorded in many books of ahadith that speak of the same matter. On account of this, the authentic and reliable scholars of the very early generations until today have unanimously stated that the Prophet (SAS) is alive in his grave, with a special type of life granted to him by Allah. Hence, to say that his bones are not in that place is a statement that is against the creed of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan