They say: We are Bedouins, but we are not nomads; rather, we are settled in a valley. There is an old cemetery in it where people are still buried to this day, and it is located on the road.
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The questioner : They say: We are Bedouins, but we are not nomads; rather, we are settled in a valley. There is an old cemetery in it where people are still buried to this day, and it is located on the road between two ridges. A road for cars divides it into two halves, though it is a single cemetery. It is also intersected by some small paths for livestock and for walking on foot. We have opened a road for cars, but we have not been able to prevent the people living in this valley from using the aforementioned paths because they do not respond to our repeated advice. Likewise, animals walk on them all the time, such as cows, sheep, and others. How can we get rid of this problem when we walk on them all the time? Do we sin by doing so or not? Please inform us. May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. Before answering the brother's question, I would like to clarify that the people in the graves have rights because they are Muslims. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade treading on graves and sitting on them. He said:Mishkat al-Masabih 1699 Just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade the desecration of graves, he also forbade their exaltation in a way that leads to exaggeration and shirk (associating partners with Allah). He forbade plastering the grave, building on it, or writing on it.
Regarding this issue mentioned by the questioner about this old cemetery that has become a passage and road for pedestrians and cars, and a grazing ground for cows and livestock, they must refer the matter to the authorities to take the necessary steps to protect and preserve it, and to open roads around it so that people can pass through to other directions. May Allah guide the government, they will not fall short in this matter. And the subjects should explain to the government what is in the interest of Islam and Muslims, so that they may cooperate in righteousness and piety. Yes.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions. Before answering the brother's question, I would like to clarify that the people in the graves have rights because they are Muslims. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade treading on graves and sitting on them. He said:
It is better that one of you should sit on live coals which burn his clothing and come in contact with his skin than that he should sit on a grave
لأن يجلس أحدكم على جمرة فتخرق ثيابه فتمضي إلى جلده خير له من أن يجلس على القبرRegarding this issue mentioned by the questioner about this old cemetery that has become a passage and road for pedestrians and cars, and a grazing ground for cows and livestock, they must refer the matter to the authorities to take the necessary steps to protect and preserve it, and to open roads around it so that people can pass through to other directions. May Allah guide the government, they will not fall short in this matter. And the subjects should explain to the government what is in the interest of Islam and Muslims, so that they may cooperate in righteousness and piety. Yes.