It is not prescribed to face towards the grave of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when offering du ‘aa’ (supplication)

Question

Praise be to Allah.

What some visitors and others do, of
striving to offer du‘aa’ at the grave of the Prophet (blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him), turning to face towards the grave and raising their
hands in supplication, is contrary to the way of the righteous early
generations, the companions of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace
of Allah be upon him) and those who followed them in truth.

Rather it comes under the heading of
innovations that have been introduced into the religion. The Prophet
(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “I urge you to adhere to my
Sunnah and the way of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who come after me. Adhere
to it and cling firmly to it. And beware of newly introduced matters, for
every newly introduced matter is an innovation, and every innovation (in
religion) is a going astray.” Narrated by Abu Dawood and an-Nasaa’i with a
hasan isnaad. And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of
it, it will be rejected.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim. According to a
version narrated by Muslim: “Whoever does an action that is not in
accordance with this matter of ours, it will be rejected.”

‘Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-‘Aabideen (may
Allah be pleased with him) saw a man offering du‘aa’ at the grave of the
Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and he told him not to do
that and said: Shall I not tell you a hadeeth that I heard from my father,
from my grandfather, from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him), that he said: “Do not take my grave as a place of
regular visitation, and do not make your houses graves. Send blessings upon
me, for your salaams will reach me no matter where you are.” Narrated by al-Haafiz
Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Waahid al-Maqdisi in his book, al-Ahaadeeth al-Mukhtaarah.

The same applies to what some visitors do
when sending salaams upon him, namely placing the right hand on the left
hand on or below the chest, as is done in the prayer. This is not
permissible when sending salaams upon the Prophet (blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him) or when greeting anyone else, such as kings, leaders and
so on, because it is a posture of humility, submission and worship, and is
not befitting except for Allah, as al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy
on him) narrated from the scholars in (his book) al-Fath. This matter
is quite clear for the one who reflects on it, and whose aim is to follow
the guidance of the righteous early generations.

With regard to the one who is overwhelmed
by partisan feelings, and whims and desires, blind imitation and suspicion
towards those who call people to follow the practice of the righteous early
generations, his case is for Allah to judge. We ask Allah to guide us and
him, and to help us all to give precedence to the truth over all else, for
He, may He be glorified, is the best to be asked. End quote.

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah
have mercy on him.