FatwaNegeri SembilanFunerals & Death
Mayat Terdampar Menurut Perspektif Islam
What is the ruling on handling washed-up bodies whose identity and religion are unknown?
Short answer
An unidentified body washed ashore, including a child, may be regarded as a resident of the country where it is found.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Fatwa Negeri Sembilan
- Topic
- Funerals & Death
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
An unidentified body washed ashore, including a child, may be regarded as a resident of the country where it is found. If found in a Muslim country without identification documents, it is deemed Muslim, whereas if found in a non-Muslim country with no documents or signs of being Muslim, it is deemed non-Muslim. Bodies of Muslims and non-Muslims that are mixed and cannot be distinguished are to be washed, shrouded and prayed over with the intention of a Muslim funeral only, and buried in a separate area or section of a Muslim cemetery, not in a non-Muslim cemetery.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Mayat yang tidak dapat dikenalpasti identitinya termasuk kanak-kanak terdampar boleh dianggap penduduk negara mayat itu dijumpai.
Read the full fatwa on the Negeri Sembilan website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Negeri Sembilan Mufti Department. “Mayat Terdampar Menurut Perspektif Islam”, date not stated. https://muftins.gov.my/fatwa/mayat-terdampar-menurut-perspektif-islam/. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/handling-washed-up-bodies-unknown-religion/