Ruling on placing a sign on the grave so as to recognize its dweller
It is reported in a tradition “May Allaah Have mercy upon (the dweller of) a grave that is unknown!” Is it permissible for me to place a sign on the grave of my relative therewith to distinguish it from among others whenever I visit it to receive a reward, derive lessons and supplicate to a good effect for him? I commit no violations neither wailing nor any religious innovation. I just pay visits according to the Sunnah. Is it permissible for me to make a sign, say a stone or its like, on the grave to distinguish it from others?
There is no harm to place a stone or such on a grave as a sign by which its dweller is recognized. This is the opinion of the majority of Maaliki, Hanbali and Shaafi‘i jurists. In his commentary, As for the tradition mentioned by the generous asker: “May Allaah Have mercy upon (the dweller of) a grave that is unknown!” we did not find it in any of our references nor do we think its attribution to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is authentic. Allaah Knows best.