al-Māwardī (d. 450)
THE 4 IMAMS
al-Māwardī (d. 450), "visiting the grave of the Messenger ﷺ is recommended, then mentions the narration of al-ʿUtbī in which a man sought intercession from the Messenger"
An important Imām in the Shāfiʿī Madhhab, says in his huge Fiqh encyclopedia titled “al-Ḥāwī” that visiting the grave of the Messenger is recommended, then mentions the narration of al-ʿUtbī in which a man sought intercession from the Messenger.
It is recommended that when someone performs Hajj, they visit the Prophet's grave, for his saying, "Whoever visits me after my death is as if he visited me during my lifetime." It is narrated from Ibn Umar that the Prophet said, "Whoever visits my grave, Paradise is guaranteed for him." It is also narrated that my intercession is guaranteed for him. It is recommended to pray in the Mosque of the Prophet, for his saying, "A prayer in my mosque is equivalent to a thousand prayers in other mosques," as mentioned by our companions. Al-Ayni narrated a good story in this regard: "I was at the Prophet's grave when a Bedouin came and said, 'Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah.' Then he said, 'I heard Allah say, 'If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.' (Quran 4:64). I have come to you seeking forgiveness for my sins, seeking your intercession with my Lord.' Then he recited, 'O best of those buried in the earth, the most fragrant of fragrances emanate from your grave. My soul is the ransom for the grave where you reside, in it is chastity, generosity, and kindness.' Then the Bedouin left, and my eyes closed, and I slept. I saw the Prophet in my dream, and he said, 'O truthful man, inform him that Allah has forgiven him.' This concludes the last quarter of worship, and all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May Allah bless His Prophet Muhammad and his family and all his companions. This is followed by the book of hunting and slaughtering in the next section.