The Ruling on Burial in a Cemetery Shared with Disbelievers

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. A questioner from Ireland says: We have, O Shaykh, the graves of Muslims in one cemetery with the graves of disbelievers, and the only distance between them is a few meters. The cemetery has only one gate. Is it permissible for us to be buried in this cemetery? Knowing that there is no other cemetery, and the state does not allow Muslims to establish an independent cemetery.

Answer:
This is among the harms of residing in the lands of disbelievers; this issue is among its dangers and harms. Therefore, migration to the lands of Muslims, being with Muslims, and separating from disbelievers is prescribed in this matter and others. It is not permissible to be buried in the cemeteries of disbelievers. However, since the Muslims' graves are separate and the disbelievers' graves are separate, and the most that exists between them is open space or a distance, the matter is lighter in case of dire necessity. Otherwise, it is not permissible for a Muslim to be buried with disbelievers, nor for a disbeliever to be buried with Muslims. Rather, each group should have a specific cemetery. Yes.