FatwaNationalFunerals & Death
Mayat Terdampar Menurut Perspektif Islam
What is the religious status and how should unidentified washed-up bodies be handled?
Short answer
An unidentified body washed ashore, including a child, may be regarded as a resident of the country where it is found.
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
An unidentified body washed ashore, including a child, may be regarded as a resident of the country where it is found. If found in a Muslim country without identification or documents, it is considered Muslim, and if found in a non-Muslim country without documents or signs of being Muslim, it is considered non-Muslim. Bodies of Muslims and non-Muslims that are mixed together and cannot be distinguished must be washed, shrouded and prayed over with the intention of a Muslim funeral only, then buried in a separate area or section of a Muslim cemetery, not in a non-Muslim cemetery.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Mayat yang tidak dapat dikenalpasti identitinya termasuk kanak- kanak terdampar boleh dianggap penduduk negara mayat itu dijumpai.
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). “Mayat Terdampar Menurut Perspektif Islam”, 3 April 2000. https://www.islam.gov.my/images/ePenerbitan/KOMPILASI_MUZAKARAH_MKI_2016.pdf#mayat-terdampar-menurut-perspektif-islam. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-unidentified-washed-up-bodies/