Visiting The Prophet's Grave Repeatedly

Question: May Allāh reward you with goodness. A questioner asks about the ruling on repeatedly visiting the Prophet’s grave, peace be upon him, and what is prescribed when visiting his grave, peace and blessings be upon him. Sheikh ’Uthaymeen raḥimahullāh: Repeatedly visiting the Prophet's grave, peace be upon him, is not from the Sunnah, nor was it the practice of the Rightly Guided Caliphs or the Companions. One may visit the grave, for example, once on a Friday, or if a traveller arrives in Madinah and prays at the masjid, he may visit it. If he is about to depart, he may also visit the grave then. However, visiting the grave after every obligatory prayer or every Fajr prayer, then this has no basis. When a person prays Fajr and sees the large crowd gathering around the grave, as if they are circumambulating the Ka'bah, one feels pain, because this was not the guidance of the Companions, may Allāh be pleased with them. Indeed, I bear witness that the love the Companions had for the Messenger, peace be upon him, was greater than our love for him, without a doubt, and their adherence to the Sunnah was stronger than ours. As for what should be said at his grave, the best thing to say is what the Prophet ﷺ taught his nation: “Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. O Allāh, send your blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allāh, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.” Then one steps to the right to stand before Abu Bakr, may Allāh be pleased with him, and says: “Peace be upon you, O successor of the Messenger of Allāh. May Allāh be pleased with you and reward you well on behalf of the nation of Muhammad.” Then, one steps again to the right to stand before the Commander of the believers, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allāh be pleased with him, and says: “Peace be upon you, O Commander of the believers, and the mercy of Allāh and His blessings. May Allāh be pleased with you and reward you well on behalf of the nation of Muhammad.”