1767/1 - Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) forbade plastering graves, sitting on them, or building on them.” [Narrated by Muslim]
Plastering graves can also include any other method meant to adorn the grave, like using marble, stones, etc.
1) It is prohibited to plaster graves or build on them, for this instills a sense of reverence for the graves within people’s hearts and it may also lead them to seek help from those buried in such graves, rather than from Allah Almighty. Moreover, this constitutes extravagance and wastefulness, which are prohibited under the Shariah.
2) The Shariah forbids anything that leads to major polytheism and blocks all means to this, for the sake of preserving monotheism.
Plastering graves and building over them results in the following evils:
1) Disobeying the Prophet’s command and committing a sin. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) advised Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) saying: “Beware of sin, for indeed sin incurs the wrath of Allah.” [Narrated by Ahmad]
2) Opening a door to polytheism, as people get greatly impressed by dignified graves.
3) Imitating the disbelievers; whereas one of the greatest objectives of the Shariah is to differ from the would-be dwellers of Hellfire and be with the people of the straight path.
4) Engaging in extravagance and wastefulness, which the Shariah forbids.
5) Lack of humbleness and reminder during the visit of graves, as they have become like the adorned houses inhabited by living people. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Visit the graves, for they remind you of the Hereafter.” [Narrated by Ibn Mājah]