Eight: Errors Related to the visit of the Prophet’s Mosque:

1.      Touching and wiping one’s hands on the walls and iron grilles, tying threads to the gratings, and other acts of this sort while visiting the grave of the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in order to receive blessing (barakah) are an innovation (bid’a). Blessing come from following what Allah and His Messenger (peace be on him) have prescribed, and not from following innovations.  
2.     Going to the caves of Mount Uhud or to the caves of Hira or Thaur near Makkah and hanging pieces of cloth or making supplications there have not been prescribed by Allah. All these are unnecessary hardships, innovations in the religion, and are without any basis in the Shari’ah.  
3.     Likewise, visiting certain sites under the impression that these constitute “relics” of the Prophet (peace be on him), as for example the place where his camel sat, the Well of ‘Uthman or the Well of the Ring, and gathering soil from these places to obtain “blessings”, are all innovations.  
4. Calling upon the dead while visiting the graves at the Baqi Cemetery or the graves of the martyrs of Uhud, and throwing coins in order to seek the blessings of the place or of the people buried there, is a grievous error. Indeed, it is shirk (ascribing partners to Allah the Most High), as has been pointed out by scholars. It is clear from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be on him) that all forms of worship are for Allah alone. It is not permissible to call upon or to offer sacrifice, give vow or any other form of ibadah (worship) except for Allah alone. Allah the Most High, says:  
“And they were commanded nothing except to worship Allah (only), purifying the religion for Him alone.” (98:5)    

And He also says:  
“Verily, the places of worship are for Allah (alone), so do not call on anyone else apart from Allah.” (72:18)  
We ask Allah, the Most High, to improve the condition of the Muslims and to give them understanding of the religion, and to turn all of us away from errors and deviations Indeed. He is the Hearing, the Responding.  
[From: A Guide to Hajj, Umrah and Visiting the Prophet’s Mosque]