The Ruling on Building Structures over the Graves of God's Saints from the Shi'a Perspective

Building structures over graves is one of the controversial issues that some Muslims disagree about due to misunderstandings and a lack of proper knowledge regarding other Islamic sects, considering themselves to be right and accusing others of innovation (bid'ah). In the matter of building structures over the graves of the righteous, Shi'a and most Sunni Muslims believe that building structures over the graves of God's saints is not only not forbidden but also demonstrates the glorification of God's symbols and an expression of love for the occupant of the grave. However, contrary to this view, is the opinion of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who, relying on ambiguities considers building over graves to be an innovation and orders the destruction of graves. Whereas, by referring to verses such as the verse of the Companions of the Cave (Ashab al-Kahf), the verse of affection (Mawaddah), and narrations such as the narration of Abu Amir, it can be understood that the general and primary ruling on the matter of building structures over the graves of God's saints is permissibility. Shi'a jurists have also issued fatwas based on this, ruling on the permissibility and even recommendation of building over the graves of the Ahl al-Bayt, scholars, and religious figures.