Building Masjids over graves

Q 1: What is the Tafsir (exegesis of the meanings) of Allah’s Saying (that can be translated as): And thus We made their case known (to the people), that they might know that the Promise of Allâh is true, and that there can be no doubt about the Hour. (Remember) when they (the people of the city) disputed among themselves about their case, they said: "Construct a building over them; their Lord knows best about them;" (then) those who won their point said (most probably the disbelievers): "We verily shall build a place of worship over them." So, what is meant by: Construct a building over them (Part No. 1; Page No. 415) And: We verily shall build a place of worship over them. We have heard from you that it is forbidden to build over graves, but is this not evidence of the permissibility of building over them?

A: As you have heard from us, it is Haram (prohibited) to build Masjids (mosques) over graves, on the authority of the numerous evidence that indicates this ruling and due to the fact that this could be a means that would lead to the worship of their occupants besides Allah. The Ayahs (Qur’anic verses) that you mentioned do not include any evidence that permits building over graves, because they are stories about the past, in which people performed actions that were opposed and censured by the legal evidence.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.