Replacing the clay bricks placed on the grave of the deceased with ceramic clay
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa number ( 20372 )
Praise be to Allah alone, and may prayers and peace be upon the one after whom there is no prophet. After that: The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta has reviewed what was sent to His Eminence the Grand Mufti from His Excellency the Custodian of the City of Riyadh , and referred to the Committee by the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars, with number (2280) and date 26/3/1419 AH. His Excellency requested the Committee to consider the proposal submitted to him by the engineer: (A. A. S.), which entails replacing the clay bricks placed on the grave of the deceased with ceramic clay that resists humidity and water, so that the grave does not collapse on the deceased when it rains. The text of his proposal reads: To His Excellency the Custodian of the City of Riyadh ... Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings. Referring to the collapses that occurred in al-Nasim and al-'Ud al-Qibariyyah cemeteries during last year's rainy season, as a result of continuous rainfall for a long period, which led to the collapse of more than half of the recent graves in
al-Nasim cemetery, namely: more than six thousand graves. This confirms the unsuitability of the current burial method. And regarding what Professor: (M. R.) mentioned in his statement about the matter, regarding the submission of proposals to solve the problem, and as a contribution to that, after inspecting the site at the time, it was found that the collapse is either due to humidity reaching the clay bricks (al-luban) placed on the grave, or due to the collapse of the grave and the bricks together. Since no one is pleased for such a collapse to happen to the body of a relative or a dear one, and given that there are alternatives that solve the problem and preserve the dignity of the dead, which are made of clay, and replace the bricks and facilitate burial, especially since many areas have soil that is not cohesive, or is entirely sandy, which forces them to build an underground room. The material that provides these advantages is ceramic designed in a way that achieves the aforementioned objectives. The ceramic units are in the shape of a quarter cylinder with a radius of 50 cm, and a length of about 50 cm with a thickness of 2 cm, surrounding the deceased from the side and the top. As for in sandy areas, the ceramic is in the shape of a half cylinder with a diameter of 60 cm, surrounding the deceased from the sides and the top, according to the attached drawing. Among the advantages of ceramic with the previous design is that: 1- It does not collapse when humidity reaches it. 2- It protects the deceased from the collapse of the grave on him because it surrounds him from the top.
3- It protects against the digging of stray animals into the graves of the dead. 4- The possibility of widening the opening of the grave, which facilitates placing the deceased. 5- The grave does not need more than four units instead of eight units of the current clay bricks, and it does not require a large amount of clay to close the openings, which speeds up the burial of the deceased. 6- It does not erode no matter how long the time passes, which allows for the relocation of the cemetery when necessary in the future. If this meets with your approval, it can be presented to the distinguished scholars, with the readiness to make a sample in the field. To you, sincere greetings and appreciation.
After the Committee's study of the inquiry, it answered that the Sunnah is to close the grave with clay bricks made of strong, pure clay. This is what the Muslims have practiced from the time of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those after them from our righteous predecessors to this day. It is what the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did in the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It is established that they made a grave for him, brought nine clay bricks, and placed them on his grave (peace and blessings be upon him), and they agreed on that. Therefore, it was narrated from Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said in the illness of his death in which he died:Sahih Muslim 966 It was narrated by the Imam Muslim in his (Sahih). Therefore, Ibn Qudamah said in al-Mughni: "And we have mentioned that clay bricks and reeds are recommended." And al-Khallal said: Abu 'Abdullah
Abu 'Abdullah — that is, Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) — inclined toward clay, whereas he disliked wood in all cases. Most of the narrations from Abu 'Abdullah indicate the recommendation of clay and its preference over reeds, based on the aforementioned statement of Sa'd . Ibrahim al-Nakha'i said, "They used to recommend clay." Accordingly, the preferable course is to leave the sealing of the grave with clay as it is, following the example of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah be pleased with them) and those who came after them from our righteous predecessors. The Companions did this for the grave of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and Allah does not choose for His Prophet except what is good and best. The ease of obtaining clay, the simplicity of its manufacture, and its availability at all times are also factors. As for the mention of some graves collapsing due to rain and floods, this is attributable either to the low-lying ground of the cemetery and poor drainage of the floods, or to a defect in the clay itself used to make the bricks. If clay is carefully prepared from good, strong, pure earth that contains no sand, it becomes strong and is not affected by erosion from floods or other factors, especially if it is mixed with something that strengthens it and makes it cohesive, such as straw or the like. Muslims have continued to do this, and their graves have remained intact to this day, century after century. As for the suggestion of using fired bricks to cover the grave, this is contrary to the Sunnah of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and contrary to the practice of the righteous predecessors who came after them. The claim that these fired bricks do not erode or collapse when exposed to moisture and water is questionable, for the reality
its ease of breaking and cracking, especially if exposed to pressure and weight. Also, it differs from clay bricks in the high cost of its expense, and it may not be easy to obtain it at some times. And success is from Allah, and may Allah pray upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions and grant them peace.
Praise be to Allah alone, and may prayers and peace be upon the one after whom there is no prophet. After that: The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta has reviewed what was sent to His Eminence the Grand Mufti from His Excellency the Custodian of the City of Riyadh , and referred to the Committee by the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars, with number (2280) and date 26/3/1419 AH. His Excellency requested the Committee to consider the proposal submitted to him by the engineer: (A. A. S.), which entails replacing the clay bricks placed on the grave of the deceased with ceramic clay that resists humidity and water, so that the grave does not collapse on the deceased when it rains. The text of his proposal reads: To His Excellency the Custodian of the City of Riyadh ... Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy and blessings. Referring to the collapses that occurred in al-Nasim and al-'Ud al-Qibariyyah cemeteries during last year's rainy season, as a result of continuous rainfall for a long period, which led to the collapse of more than half of the recent graves in
al-Nasim cemetery, namely: more than six thousand graves. This confirms the unsuitability of the current burial method. And regarding what Professor: (M. R.) mentioned in his statement about the matter, regarding the submission of proposals to solve the problem, and as a contribution to that, after inspecting the site at the time, it was found that the collapse is either due to humidity reaching the clay bricks (al-luban) placed on the grave, or due to the collapse of the grave and the bricks together. Since no one is pleased for such a collapse to happen to the body of a relative or a dear one, and given that there are alternatives that solve the problem and preserve the dignity of the dead, which are made of clay, and replace the bricks and facilitate burial, especially since many areas have soil that is not cohesive, or is entirely sandy, which forces them to build an underground room. The material that provides these advantages is ceramic designed in a way that achieves the aforementioned objectives. The ceramic units are in the shape of a quarter cylinder with a radius of 50 cm, and a length of about 50 cm with a thickness of 2 cm, surrounding the deceased from the side and the top. As for in sandy areas, the ceramic is in the shape of a half cylinder with a diameter of 60 cm, surrounding the deceased from the sides and the top, according to the attached drawing. Among the advantages of ceramic with the previous design is that: 1- It does not collapse when humidity reaches it. 2- It protects the deceased from the collapse of the grave on him because it surrounds him from the top.
3- It protects against the digging of stray animals into the graves of the dead. 4- The possibility of widening the opening of the grave, which facilitates placing the deceased. 5- The grave does not need more than four units instead of eight units of the current clay bricks, and it does not require a large amount of clay to close the openings, which speeds up the burial of the deceased. 6- It does not erode no matter how long the time passes, which allows for the relocation of the cemetery when necessary in the future. If this meets with your approval, it can be presented to the distinguished scholars, with the readiness to make a sample in the field. To you, sincere greetings and appreciation.
After the Committee's study of the inquiry, it answered that the Sunnah is to close the grave with clay bricks made of strong, pure clay. This is what the Muslims have practiced from the time of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those after them from our righteous predecessors to this day. It is what the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) did in the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It is established that they made a grave for him, brought nine clay bricks, and placed them on his grave (peace and blessings be upon him), and they agreed on that. Therefore, it was narrated from Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said in the illness of his death in which he died:
Make a niche for me in the side of the grave and set up bricks over me as was done in case of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).
ألحدوا لي لحدًا وانصبوا علي اللبن نصبًا كما صنع برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلمAbu 'Abdullah — that is, Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) — inclined toward clay, whereas he disliked wood in all cases. Most of the narrations from Abu 'Abdullah indicate the recommendation of clay and its preference over reeds, based on the aforementioned statement of Sa'd . Ibrahim al-Nakha'i said, "They used to recommend clay." Accordingly, the preferable course is to leave the sealing of the grave with clay as it is, following the example of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah be pleased with them) and those who came after them from our righteous predecessors. The Companions did this for the grave of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and Allah does not choose for His Prophet except what is good and best. The ease of obtaining clay, the simplicity of its manufacture, and its availability at all times are also factors. As for the mention of some graves collapsing due to rain and floods, this is attributable either to the low-lying ground of the cemetery and poor drainage of the floods, or to a defect in the clay itself used to make the bricks. If clay is carefully prepared from good, strong, pure earth that contains no sand, it becomes strong and is not affected by erosion from floods or other factors, especially if it is mixed with something that strengthens it and makes it cohesive, such as straw or the like. Muslims have continued to do this, and their graves have remained intact to this day, century after century. As for the suggestion of using fired bricks to cover the grave, this is contrary to the Sunnah of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and contrary to the practice of the righteous predecessors who came after them. The claim that these fired bricks do not erode or collapse when exposed to moisture and water is questionable, for the reality
its ease of breaking and cracking, especially if exposed to pressure and weight. Also, it differs from clay bricks in the high cost of its expense, and it may not be easy to obtain it at some times. And success is from Allah, and may Allah pray upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions and grant them peace.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.