FatwaPenangFunerals & Death
TAPAK YANG ADA KUBUR ORANG-ORANG ISLAM DI ATAS LOT 67, SEK.5, BUKIT MERTAJAM YANG DICADANGKAN SEBAGAI TAPAK BANGUNAN BUKIT MERTAJAM MEDICAL CENTRE.
Is it permissible to build a medical centre on a site containing old Muslim graves?
Short answer
The Penang Syariyyah Committee ruled that the building is permissible on condition that the graves are relocated to a Muslim cemetery elsewhere.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Penang State Mufti Department
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Keputusan Fatwa Negeri Pulau Pinang (e-Fatwa)
- Topic
- Funerals & Death
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The Penang Syariyyah Committee ruled that the building is permissible on condition that the graves are relocated to a Muslim cemetery elsewhere. The ruling rests on the graves being old, with no burials for over fifty years, and on the land not being a public cemetery endowment and being lawfully administered by its owner. The Islamic Religious Council must arrange the relocation by digging down two feet, collecting soil regarded as remains of the deceased, and placing it in wooden boxes for reburial. The new area need not match the original in size, provided it can hold the boxes.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
BOLEHLAH IAITU HARUS MENURUT HUKUM ISLAM DIDIRIKAN BANGUNAN YARIG DICADANGKAN ITU DENGAN SYARAT DIPINDAHKAN KUBUR-KUBUR BERKENAAN KE TANAH PERKUBURAN ISLAM DI TEMPAT LAIN.
Read the full fatwa on the Penang website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Penang State Mufti Department. “TAPAK YANG ADA KUBUR ORANG-ORANG ISLAM DI ATAS LOT 67, SEK.5, BUKIT MERTAJAM YANG DICADANGKAN SEBAGAI TAPAK BANGUNAN BUKIT MERTAJAM MEDICAL CENTRE.”, 31 March 1992. http://efatwa.penang.gov.my/fatwa_details.php?fatwaid=1226. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/building-on-site-of-old-muslim-graves/