If a man dies and is buried with gold in his teeth, and several years have passed since his burial, is it obligatory to dig up the grave and remove the teeth, or what is the ruling?
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The questioner : If a man dies and is buried with gold in his teeth, and several years have passed since his burial, is it obligatory to dig up the grave and remove the teeth, or what is the ruling?
The Shaykh : First, if a person dies with gold in his teeth, it is obligatory to remove the gold teeth, because burying them with the deceased is a waste of wealth. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he prohibited the waste of wealth. If it is not possible to remove them without harm to the gums or the remaining teeth, then they are left until the deceased decomposes, then the grave is dug up and the gold is extracted and added to the estate to be inherited with the estate. In this case, if the heirs permit it and they are guided, their voluntary gift is valid; if they permit it to remain for the deceased, they are free to do so.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : First, if a person dies with gold in his teeth, it is obligatory to remove the gold teeth, because burying them with the deceased is a waste of wealth. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he prohibited the waste of wealth. If it is not possible to remove them without harm to the gums or the remaining teeth, then they are left until the deceased decomposes, then the grave is dug up and the gold is extracted and added to the estate to be inherited with the estate. In this case, if the heirs permit it and they are guided, their voluntary gift is valid; if they permit it to remain for the deceased, they are free to do so.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.