FatwaJohorFunerals & Death
FATWA BERKENAAN KUBUR YANG TIDAK MENGHADAP KE ARAH KIBLAT DI TANAH PERKUBURAN AL-THOHIRIAH BATU 3, JALAN MERSING 86800 MERSING JOHOR
Must an old grave that does not face the qibla be dug up and realigned?
Short answer
A body must be buried facing the qibla. For an old grave that is not aligned, it need not be moved if moving it would damage the body, out of respect for the deceased.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Johor State Mufti Department
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Fatwa Negeri Johor
- Topic
- Funerals & Death
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
A body must be buried facing the qibla. For an old grave that is not aligned, it need not be moved if moving it would damage the body, out of respect for the deceased. The ruling relies on Al-Majmu' Syarah Al-Muhazzab, which says the obligation lapses when there is a valid excuse, while a body that would not be damaged should be exhumed and turned toward the qibla.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Wajib menghadapkan jenazah ke arah kiblat. Walaubagaimanapun, bagi kubur lama yang jika dialihkan akan berlaku kerosakan kepada mayat tersebut, maka tidak perlu dialihkan kerana memuliakan jenazah
Read the full fatwa on the Johor website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Johor State Mufti Department. “FATWA BERKENAAN KUBUR YANG TIDAK MENGHADAP KE ARAH KIBLAT DI TANAH PERKUBURAN AL-THOHIRIAH BATU 3, JALAN MERSING 86800 MERSING JOHOR”, 16 January 2019. https://said.johor.gov.my/perkhidmatan/paparan_detail_fatwa.php?id=131. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/old-grave-not-facing-qibla-must-be-moved/