Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(126): "Ruling of Sharia on Building Graves over each other"

Date Added : 18-12-2017

Resolution No.(126): "Ruling of Sharia on Building Graves over each other"

Date: 27/4/1430 AH, corresponding to 23/4/2009.

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
On the above date, the Board reviewed the letter of the Chairman of Abu Nussair Local Committee, No. 6/9/139, 27/1/2009, which includes the intention to build graves over each other.
After deliberating and researching, the Board decided what follows:
In principle, it is imperative that each deceased person is buried in one grave, and it isn`t permissible to bury more than one person in one grave if that wasn`t necessary. However, in case of necessity, such as when there are many deceased persons and it is difficult to bury each in a separate grave, burying them in one grave is permissible.
If the deceased person was buried in a grave, it isn`t permissible to build any structure over it, except that which preserves their corpse and keeps it in its place. Moreover, it isn`t permissible to bury a deceased person over another as indicated by the Hadith of Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him), who said: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) forbade that the graves should be plastered (made into permanent structures), used as sitting places (for the people) or building over them." {Muslim}.
In addition, the grave should be in an underground hole, because the Prophet (PBUH) said about those killed in the Battle of Uhud: "Dig graves and make them good and deep…" {Sunn An-Nassa`i}.
In conclusion, it is impermissible to build graves over each other because they are actually like the big drawers of hospitals` mortuary fridges, and not graves in the sense that suits the dignity of the Muslim person. Moreover, there is no need for burying more than one person in one grave since the desert is very vast, a human being is only buried once, and wherever there is a cemetery people can reach it. And Allah Knows Best.

 

Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of Jordan, Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh

Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Hilayel

Sheikh Sa`eid Hijjawi/ Member

              Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Eesa/ Member

                                                            Judge Sari Attieh/ Member

    Dr. Abdulrahman Ibdah/ Member

            Dr. Mohammad Al-Ibraheem/ Member

            Dr. Abdulnaser Abu Al-Basal/ Member

                        Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Executive Secretary of the Iftaa` Board

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Summarized Fatawaa

What do you say about someone who stays up all night on Laylat al-Qadr but misses Fajr prayer?

Such a person has deprived themselves of a great reward. Performing obligatory acts is more beloved to Allah than voluntary acts. Fajr prayer is an obligation, and performing it in congregation is equivalent to worshiping for the entire night. So how can someone neglect it while striving for voluntary prayers?!

Is it permissible to give to the poor from among the People of the Book from the Udhiyah?

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to give to the poor among the People of the Book from a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ), just as it is permissible to give charity (ṣadaqah) to them. This opinion is a view (wajh) within the Shāfiʿī school, which was favored by al-Muḥibb al-Ṭabarī and Imam al-Nawawī. [See: Ḥāshiyat Ibn Qāsim al-ʿAbbādī ʿalā Tuḥfat al-Muḥtāj (Vol.9/P.365)]. And Allah Almighty knows best.

Is a woman sinful if she fasts out of shyness from her family while menstruating or in postnatal bleeding?

It is forbidden for a woman who is menstruating or in postnatal bleeding to abstain from food and drink with the intention of fasting. If she fasts out of shyness, she is sinful, as her fast is not valid.
However, if she refrains from eating and drinking without intending to fast, it is not forbidden, but she unnecessarily burdens herself without need.

Is it permissible to purchase the Udhiyah on installments?

It is permissible to purchase the sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyyah) on installments or by borrowing its price. However, it is not recommended for the poor to do so, because they are not required to offer a sacrifice, and Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. If doing so would lead to negligence in providing for one's dependents (nafaqah wājibah), then giving precedence to obligatory maintenance over borrowing to buy the sacrifice is appropriate. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "It is sufficient sin for a person to withhold food from those whom he is responsible to support."
 
Furthermore, the sacrifice is valid from one who has a debt, but it is preferable (awlā) to repay the debt first, especially if the debt is due immediately (ḥāll). And Allah Almighty knows best.