Marking graves with paint, clay, wood, tiles or writing on them the name of the tribe of the deceased

A 8: Marking graves with a rock and similar things is permissible. The Sunnah (acts, sayings or approvals of the Prophet Muhammad) includes evidence to proves the permissibility of this act. It was proven that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave orders to mark the grave of `Uthman Ibn Mazh`un with a rock. As for marking the grave with paint and other colored materials, or emblems of a certain tribe or communities, all these matters are Bid`ah (heresy in Islam), which is not permissible. What is Mashru` (permissible) in Islamic law is sufficient, praise be to Allah. Q 10: What is the ruling on making numbers on the walls of the graveyard to identify the graves? It should be mentioned that these numbers are quiet useful; they are not fixed on the graves, but only on the wall of the graves. These numbers will allow us to dispense with many of the markings that are currently placed on the graves. Please give us a Fatwa, may Allah reward you! A 10: It is not permissible to place numbers on graves or on the walls of graveyards, since this is emphatically indicated in the prohibition of writing over the graves and may be used as a pretext leading to this.May Allah grant us success. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions!