Re: Building shrines over graves
^ As a Shia, we basically have very very different stance on the subject and i do not think i should go into further details as you wouldn't accept my sources just like i wouldnt accept yours. This is a non-issue for the Shias and i guess its much more appropriate for the Sunnis to sort it out between themselves first (Deobandi, Baralvi) since they follow pretty much the same sources for their religion.
In general terms though i will make few quick points:
-I do not need to believe anything new as i already believe that they are in Hijare Ismail. Do a google search for GRAVE HAZRAT ISMAIL and you will find plenty of Sunni websites stating that.
-There is not prohibitation for a Muslim to pray anywhere and tomb and a grave is no different as our qibla still is Baitullah regardless of where we pray. There is every chance that the place you are praying at the moment might carry a grave or two. Doesnt mean you are praying to the dead. Somebody real Jahil would do such a thing.
Had it been Haraam to pray next to the graves then there would have been prohibitation for example in the Ashaab e Kahaf verse. You are asking me to show if Allah was pleased with this act and i am asking you to show if he was unpleased. This is almost impossible to solve as even the Sunni muffasir remain undecisive as to whether it was a good act or otherwise.
One thing is for sure that our overall understanding of of things are very different. We believe that the traditions used by those who prohibit the ziarat of graves are incorrect. Or they have not understood the context of the traditions. And it has been the practice of the Messenger of Allah (saw.) to visit graves. He visited the grave of his dear mother and wept upon it. His companions joined him in the lamentation. (Sahih Muslim 2:671). In the same way Fatemah Zahra (sa) visited the tomb of her father. Muslims throughout the ages have visited the tomb of the Messenger of Allah (saws) and the graves of the Imams of Ahle Bayt (as) that are situated in the Baqi cemetery of Madinah.
Therefore if you prohibit the visitation to graves it will go against some authentic traditions, like,
"Verily, I had restrained you from visiting the graves. Now, visit them. Certainly, it reminds one of the Hereafter."
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Vol.3, Pg. 370)
-Shaa'ir Allah or Symbols of Allah, i presented two very clear verses and a basic principle Quran is putting forward, i.e. a place with association with a Prophet is a Symbol of Allah. Also Muqaam e Ibrahim is a place of worship according to Quran and so much can be written about these verses but again your interpretion will be very very different to mine and again i am short on time.