Respecting the Dead
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa number ( 13349 )
Q: We have heard from some preachers that the meaning of what they said is: the sanctity of a Muslim while alive is like his sanctity when dead. Does this mean his right to the land, i.e., the grave, such that no one should harm him by walking on it or building on it? Or does the meaning of the hadith imply that no one should speak ill of a Muslim after his death, such as accusing him of zina, may Allah protect us, or lewdness, or the like? And do we commit a sin by letting our tongues run loose regarding the dead among the Muslims? And if I have
fallen into any of that, what do you advise me to do, as I desire to be satisfied with your fatwa so that I do not fall into a prohibited matter again? May Allah guide you.
A: First: Imam Ahmad narrated in al-Musnad, and Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1616Hasan (Darussalam) , and this indicates the sanctity of the dead and the prohibition of exposing them to harm or desecrating their graves. Second: It is not permissible to insult the dead among the Muslims; for it is established that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1936Sahih (Darussalam) , and you must repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and seek forgiveness for what occurred from you. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We have heard from some preachers that the meaning of what they said is: the sanctity of a Muslim while alive is like his sanctity when dead. Does this mean his right to the land, i.e., the grave, such that no one should harm him by walking on it or building on it? Or does the meaning of the hadith imply that no one should speak ill of a Muslim after his death, such as accusing him of zina, may Allah protect us, or lewdness, or the like? And do we commit a sin by letting our tongues run loose regarding the dead among the Muslims? And if I have
fallen into any of that, what do you advise me to do, as I desire to be satisfied with your fatwa so that I do not fall into a prohibited matter again? May Allah guide you.
A: First: Imam Ahmad narrated in al-Musnad, and Abu Dawud in al-Sunan, from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Breaking the bones of the deceased is like breaking his bones when he is alive.
كسر عظم الميت ككسره حيًّاDo not verbally abuse the dead, for they have reached the consequences of what they did.
لا تسبوا الأموات؛ فإنهم قد أفضوا إلى ما قدموا
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.