Burying the deceased in a coffin
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Fatwa No. ( 3913 )
Q: We live in Sydney in Australia , and the burial of the dead here is done by placing the deceased in a coffin, then closing the coffin and placing it in its grave while it is still in the coffin, and earth is heaped upon it. The disagreement here is whether this is permissible in Islam? One group says: it is permissible. And another group says: it is not permissible. In fact, a group sends the bodies of their deceased to their homeland, not by bequest, but because they believe it is not permissible to bury the deceased in a coffin. In addition to this, the Ministry of Health does not allow the burial of the dead without a wooden box, and we are trying to convince the Ministry of Health of our viewpoint, but so far we have not succeeded. If it were confirmed to us that it is absolutely forbidden to bury our dead in a box, it would be an argument for us against the Ministry of Health in the state where we live. Even if it were confirmed to us that it is permissible to bury our dead using a box, we would have an argument against our brothers who send the bodies of their deceased to their homeland. And thereby much of their expenses would be saved, which could be utilized in other matters that benefit the Muslims. Your Excellency, like you, is one who can give such a decision, and your fatwa on the matter is important to the Muslims in Australia . We hope to hear an answer from you as soon as possible.
A: The Sunnah is that the deceased is not buried in a coffin, whether closed or open; because that was not transmitted from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in practice or in speech, and it was not transmitted from his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). And all good is in following, and evil is in innovation, and because it involves imitating the disbelievers. As for transferring the deceased to his country for other than dire necessity, it is not prescribed. And the fact that the deceased is buried in a coffin in the place of his death is not a justification for transferring him, as long as there is a Muslim cemetery in the place of his death where he can be buried, and his burial is in a coffin. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: We live in Sydney in Australia , and the burial of the dead here is done by placing the deceased in a coffin, then closing the coffin and placing it in its grave while it is still in the coffin, and earth is heaped upon it. The disagreement here is whether this is permissible in Islam? One group says: it is permissible. And another group says: it is not permissible. In fact, a group sends the bodies of their deceased to their homeland, not by bequest, but because they believe it is not permissible to bury the deceased in a coffin. In addition to this, the Ministry of Health does not allow the burial of the dead without a wooden box, and we are trying to convince the Ministry of Health of our viewpoint, but so far we have not succeeded. If it were confirmed to us that it is absolutely forbidden to bury our dead in a box, it would be an argument for us against the Ministry of Health in the state where we live. Even if it were confirmed to us that it is permissible to bury our dead using a box, we would have an argument against our brothers who send the bodies of their deceased to their homeland. And thereby much of their expenses would be saved, which could be utilized in other matters that benefit the Muslims. Your Excellency, like you, is one who can give such a decision, and your fatwa on the matter is important to the Muslims in Australia . We hope to hear an answer from you as soon as possible.
A: The Sunnah is that the deceased is not buried in a coffin, whether closed or open; because that was not transmitted from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in practice or in speech, and it was not transmitted from his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). And all good is in following, and evil is in innovation, and because it involves imitating the disbelievers. As for transferring the deceased to his country for other than dire necessity, it is not prescribed. And the fact that the deceased is buried in a coffin in the place of his death is not a justification for transferring him, as long as there is a Muslim cemetery in the place of his death where he can be buried, and his burial is in a coffin. 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.