The hardness of the earth and its suitability for digging and burial without construction
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa number ( 18527 )
Q: The residents of al-Suqa' village in Baljirashi had some people of good will donate a sum of money to construct graves. These graves were made as follows: a large pit was dug in the ground, which is strong clay soil, and that pit was then divided into several graves by building each grave on all four sides with red brick. Then, when they were leveled with the ground, a slab of iron and cement was placed on top, and an opening was made on the side for inserting the deceased. These graves have not yet been used for burial. What is the ruling on this work? Is it permissible to bury in them, or are we obligated to remove the construction and the slab and return them to their natural state? We know that the ground is firm and strong clay; we used to dig in it, place a wooden coffin, cover it with stones and clay, and then with soil. We hope you will guide us to what you see as correct.
A : If the matter is as described, regarding the hardness of the earth and its suitability for digging and burial without construction, then it is obligatory to remain with the previous practice of digging each grave individually and placing a wooden coffin in it; because this is what conforms to the Sunnah. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: The residents of al-Suqa' village in Baljirashi had some people of good will donate a sum of money to construct graves. These graves were made as follows: a large pit was dug in the ground, which is strong clay soil, and that pit was then divided into several graves by building each grave on all four sides with red brick. Then, when they were leveled with the ground, a slab of iron and cement was placed on top, and an opening was made on the side for inserting the deceased. These graves have not yet been used for burial. What is the ruling on this work? Is it permissible to bury in them, or are we obligated to remove the construction and the slab and return them to their natural state? We know that the ground is firm and strong clay; we used to dig in it, place a wooden coffin, cover it with stones and clay, and then with soil. We hope you will guide us to what you see as correct.
A : If the matter is as described, regarding the hardness of the earth and its suitability for digging and burial without construction, then it is obligatory to remain with the previous practice of digging each grave individually and placing a wooden coffin in it; because this is what conforms to the Sunnah. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.