FatwaNationalFunerals & Death
Mengawet Mayat
What is the ruling on embalming a dead body in Islam?
Short answer
The 33rd Muzakarah of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia, held on 11 October 1993, ruled that embalming a corpse is permissible.
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 33rd Muzakarah of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia, held on 11 October 1993, ruled that embalming a corpse is permissible. The permission applies when there are urgent reasons for it.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Muzakarah telah memutuskan bahawa mengawet mayat atas sebab-sebab yang mendesak hukumnya adalah harus.
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). “Mengawet Mayat”, 11 October 1993. https://www.islam.gov.my/images/ePenerbitan/KOMPILASI_MUZAKARAH_MKI_2016.pdf#mengawet-mayat. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-embalming-a-dead-body/