121. Can we seek forgiveness from Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Verse (4:64) of the Quran says, during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, people who have committed sins in their life, on realization sought forgiveness from Allah, they came to the prophet, requested him to plead for their forgiveness, and when he does so, Allah forgave them.

 Citing this verse some argue and mislead people that forgiveness can be sought from Prophet Muhammad at his grave.

This verse says during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, when people who have committed sins visited him, sought forgiveness from Allah, and with a plea to him (Prophet Muhammad) to seek forgiveness for them, will be forgiven by Allah. The verse does not say to seek forgiveness from the prophet at his grave after his demise. 

As per these people's argument every time a sin is committed the person needs to visit Madina to be forgiven, resulting in only the affluent and wealthy being forgiven, with the downtrodden and poor not getting the chance to be forgiven because of their unaffordability.

There is not any other meaning to this than, when during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, the chances of being forgiven was more when he asks God to forgive the sins of people who visited him ad requested him to plead for them.

The comrades of Prophet Muhammad did not pay a visit every time they committed a sin to his grave after his demise seeking forgiveness. 

 Please refer to explanation points 17, 41, 49, 79, 83, 100, 104, 122, 140, 141, 193, 213, 215, 245, 269, 298, 327, 397, 427, 471 to know more about the how the arguments justifying shrine worship are wrong.