FatwaFederal TerritoriesFunerals & Death
IRSYAD HUKUM KE-56: HUKUM MEMINDAHKAN KUBUR MENGIKUT SYARIAT ISLAM
What is the Islamic ruling on relocating a grave?
Short answer
The default ruling is that moving a grave is not permitted without a benefit or an urgent need, which is the view of most scholars.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Funerals & Death
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The default ruling is that moving a grave is not permitted without a benefit or an urgent need, which is the view of most scholars. It is allowed when necessary, for example when the dignity of the deceased would be compromised if the body is not exhumed, such as burial in a non-Muslim cemetery, fear of flooding or erosion, or desecration. Where the dignity of the graves is actually compromised, relocation becomes obligatory. The fatwa cites the practice of the Companions, including the reburials of martyrs, Jabir's father and Talhah.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Sebenarnya hukum asal adalah tidak dibolehkan tanpa sebarang maslahah dan keperluan yang mendesak. Inilah yang diputuskan oleh kebanyakan para ulama.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM KE-56: HUKUM MEMINDAHKAN KUBUR MENGIKUT SYARIAT ISLAM”, 29 July 2015. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/1898-irsyad-fatwa-ke-56-hukum-memindahkan-kubur-mengikut-syariat-islam. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-relocating-a-grave-in-islam/