FatwaNegeri SembilanFunerals & Death
Pengesahan Agama Bagi Mayat Yang Tidak Dikenali
What is the ruling on handling a body that is found but whose religion is unknown?
Short answer
A body whose status as Muslim or non-Muslim is unknown is ruled like a foundling.
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
A body whose status as Muslim or non-Muslim is unknown is ruled like a foundling. If it is found in a non-Muslim country where no Muslims live, it is treated as a non-Muslim body. Otherwise it is treated as a Muslim body, so it is washed, shrouded, prayed over and buried in a Muslim cemetery. If the head and body are separated and found in different states, the funeral prayer is obligatory for the body and the head in the places where each is located.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Sekiranya mayat tersebut dijumpai di negara kafir dan tiada orang Islam di sana maka mayat tersebut adalah mayat orang bukan Islam.
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. “Pengesahan Agama Bagi Mayat Yang Tidak Dikenali”, date not stated. https://muftins.gov.my/fatwa/pengesahan-agama-bagi-mayat-yang-tidak-dikenali/. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-unidentified-body-religion/