Is the Imam's statement that the grave of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is greater in the sight of Allah Almighty than the Kaaba, the Throne, the Footstool, and the Preserved Tablet correct, and is his evidence for that—that Imam Malik issued a fatwa allowing one to face the Prophet's grave, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, when supplicating instead of the Kaaba—correct?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is the best of creations, and the place that contains his body is the best of places. The early Muslims (Salaf) did not intend to supplicate at graves; rather, they would send prayers and salutations upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The imams differed on facing the grave when offering salutations: Malik and Ahmad, among others, were of the opinion that one should face it, while Abu Hanifa held that one should face the Qibla (definition). Imam Malik explicitly stated that it is not recommended to stand at the grave for supplication; rather, one should offer salutations and then depart. He disliked doing so except for someone arriving from a journey or departing. The imams deemed it good to perform acts at the grave that are akin to supplication and greeting, such as sending prayers and salutations, but they disliked specifically going there for supplication or standing there for that purpose. And whoever permitted supplication, permitted it while facing the Qibla, not the grave. Any narrations that contradict this are weak or interpreted in a way that aligns with Imam Malik's madhhab (definition), which is against facing the grave during supplication.