FatwaNationalFunerals & Death
Tanah Perkuburan Dan Krematoria
Can old cemetery land be reused, and are multi-level graves permitted?
Short answer
The Muzakarah agreed that old cemetery land older than 90 years may be reused in stages, since no text of the Quran or hadith prohibits it.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- National Fatwa Committee (JAKIM)
- Date
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Kompilasi Pandangan Hukum Muzakarah Jawatankuasa Fatwa MKI (JAKIM, terbitan 2016)
- Topic
- Funerals & Death
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The Muzakarah agreed that old cemetery land older than 90 years may be reused in stages, since no text of the Quran or hadith prohibits it. The proposal for graves 18 feet deep holding three bodies in layers was not approved, because ample land is still available and the situation has not reached the level of necessity (dharurat). If conditions become truly pressing, the proposal may be considered based on fiqh maxims. The relevant authorities were also agreed to seek land outside the Federal Territories for Muslim burial.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Bersetuju dengan cadangan kawasan tanah perkuburan lama (lebih dari 90 tahun) digunakan semula secara berperingkat-peringkat.
Read the full fatwa on the National website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
National Fatwa Committee (JAKIM). “Tanah Perkuburan Dan Krematoria”, 19 February 1992. https://www.islam.gov.my/images/ePenerbitan/KOMPILASI_MUZAKARAH_MKI_2016.pdf#tanah-perkuburan-dan-krematoria. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/reuse-of-old-cemetery-land-ruling/