Is it true that Imam Malik ordered prayers to be directed towards the tomb of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instead of the Kaaba, as some people do?

The statement about facing the grave of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when supplicating is a statement for which there is no evidence from revelation. The lawful direction (Qibla) for supplication is the Kaaba, and the Imams have agreed upon this. No one has differed regarding facing the Qibla during supplication. Rather, facing graves for prayer or supplication is among the actions of the ignorant, which are forbidden.

The report attributed to Imam Malik regarding Al-Mansour directing him to face the grave when supplicating is denounced (munkar) and weak. Its chain of narration (isnad) is obscure and interrupted, and its narrators are accused of lying or their status is unknown. Muhammad ibn Humayd Al-Razi, who narrated the report, is weak and did not live to meet Imam Malik. Furthermore, Malik's companions did not transmit this statement from him.

As for what is mentioned in the narration of Ibn Wahb from Malik regarding facing the grave when supplicating, what is meant by it is supplicating for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and for his two companions, and not the visitor supplicating for himself. This is consistent with the Sunnah of Ibn 'Umar and the madhhab of Malik, who does not see prolonging standing at the grave and dislikes standing there for a long time, sufficing with salutations.

A Muslim who is truthful in his love for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is one who is keen to follow him and emulate him in all his actions, including facing the Qibla when supplicating and not venerating graves by worshipping at them, which is a forbidden act.