The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not extend his hand to anyone from his grave

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As-Salaamu-Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
What is the correct opinion about the stories narrated from one of the famous Sufi leaders, al-Sayyid Ahmad al-Rifaa’i, which say that he visited the Mosque of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in Madeenah and made du’aa’ at his grave, and the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) reached his hand out to him and he kissed it? This is a widespread belief among the followers of his tareeqah and it is a belief they hold firmly, even though he lived in the 6th century AH. How true is this story?
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Check below answers in case you are looking for other related questions:
Information about the Shi’ah
Deobandis

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

This is false and has no basis of truth, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) died as decreed by Allaah and as Allaah said (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily you (O Muhammad) will die and verily, they (too) will die” [al-Zumar 39:30]  

According to a saheeh hadeeth, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has angels who travel about in the earth and convey to me the salaams of my ummah.” 

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no one who sends salaams upon me but Allaah will restore my soul to me so that I may return his salaam.” 

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of your days is Friday, so send more blessings (salaah) upon me on that day, for your blessings will be shown to me.” They said, “O Messenger of Allaah, how will they be shown to you when you (your body) have disintegrated?” He said, ‘Allaah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets.” 

And there are many ahaadeeth which say similar things, but it is not narrated anywhere that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that he would shake hands with anybody. This indicates that this story is false. Even if we were to assume that it is true, then it could be that that was a shaytaan (devil) who shook hands with him in order to deceive him and lead him and others astray. What all Muslims have to do is to fear Allaah and to adhere to His sharee’ah which is indicated in His Book and in the Sunnah of His trustworthy Messenger, and to beware of anything that goes against that. May Allaah reform the Muslims and grant them understanding of His religion and cause them to adhere to His sharee’ah, for He is the Most Generous, Most Kind.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah's Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam

Related Answers:
Some books that refute the specious arguments of the Raafidis
A glimpse at the ‘Ubaydi (Fatimid) state – its origins and beliefs
What is the Qadiani (Ahmadiyyah) sect? Is it permissible for a Muslim to marry one of them?
Information about the Shi’ah
Deobandis

Recommended answers for you:
How many years were there between Adam and Muhammad (peace be upon them both)?
If his wife does not agree to him being away for more than six months
The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), the Mothers of the Believers (may Allaah be pleased with them)
Rulings that apply only to women during Hajj
Dhikr after salaah and before sleeping