Is it permissible to demolish the graves of Al-Baqi‘ and leave them without markers, to be trodden upon by feet, and to demolish the place where the Prophet was born and make the grave of the Prophet’s father a courtyard for people to walk upon, knowing that these are archaeological sites and the world preserves its archaeological sites?

The Sunnah (definition) concerning graves is that they should be raised about a handspan above the ground and have a hump, so that they are recognizable as graves. The grave should not be raised more than this. If it is raised higher, whether by construction or otherwise, it is permissible to level it with the ground. It is recommended to place a prominent marker at the head of the deceased to indicate that it is a grave. Construction on graves is forbidden due to the harms it entails, among them the ignorant's belief in them similar to the disbelievers' belief in idols, and this is a form of taking graves as places of worship (masajid).