Ruling on writing on graves or placing numbers on them for identification
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In some graveyards, they write on the walls adjacent to the graves so that so-and-so’s grave can be distinguished from so-and-so’s. What is the ruling on this, O Shaykh? Does this lead to something more severe than this?
I do not think it leads to anything. Perhaps the one who wrote the number is a relative who wants to greet him. However, if there is a fear that it will lead to harm, such as if this man is a person of wealth whom the common people exalt, or a person of knowledge, or a person of worship, then it is prohibited. But if he is an ordinary man and only his relatives know him, I see no harm in this.
The questioner: This, O Shaykh! is done collectively in our city. The official orders the person in charge of digging graves to number the graves?The Shaykh: Is it on the markers?The questioner: No, O Shaykh! Below the markers.
The Shaykh: On the wall?For example, he says: My father’s grave is in the fourth row, in the place between it and the wall are five graves.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh: This is what I spoke about. If he is an ordinary man and there is no fear that people will exaggerate about him, there is no harm.
I do not think it leads to anything. Perhaps the one who wrote the number is a relative who wants to greet him. However, if there is a fear that it will lead to harm, such as if this man is a person of wealth whom the common people exalt, or a person of knowledge, or a person of worship, then it is prohibited. But if he is an ordinary man and only his relatives know him, I see no harm in this.
The questioner: This, O Shaykh! is done collectively in our city. The official orders the person in charge of digging graves to number the graves?The Shaykh: Is it on the markers?The questioner: No, O Shaykh! Below the markers.
The Shaykh: On the wall?For example, he says: My father’s grave is in the fourth row, in the place between it and the wall are five graves.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh: This is what I spoke about. If he is an ordinary man and there is no fear that people will exaggerate about him, there is no harm.