Is it permissible to build on land between an old and a new cemetery?
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The questioner : I have a building plot between two cemeteries, an old cemetery and a new one. Is it permissible to build on it?
The Shaykh : It is permissible to build as long as the land is your property; you are allowed to build on it. However, if the land is not large and its value can be assessed for you to include it in the two cemeteries, then in my opinion, this is better so that the cemeteries are all connected, and so that no building occurs between the cemeteries. We do not know who will live in this building; perhaps they will throw garbage on the graves, or at the very least, their hearts will become hard and they will not be admonished, because with frequent exposure, sensitivity decreases. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Musannaf Abd al-Razzaq 7:658 And in another wording: .
I fear that with habituation, and with a person entering and exiting while the cemeteries are on his right and left, his heart will become hard and he will not care about this matter. Therefore, I repeat to the brother questioner that if his land is not spacious, meaning it can be included in the two cemeteries, then I see that he should strive to do so so that he may have a reward with Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and be safe from the burden he fears in building between the cemeteries.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : It is permissible to build as long as the land is your property; you are allowed to build on it. However, if the land is not large and its value can be assessed for you to include it in the two cemeteries, then in my opinion, this is better so that the cemeteries are all connected, and so that no building occurs between the cemeteries. We do not know who will live in this building; perhaps they will throw garbage on the graves, or at the very least, their hearts will become hard and they will not be admonished, because with frequent exposure, sensitivity decreases. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
I used to forbid you from visiting the graves, but now visit them, for they remind one of the Hereafter.
كنت نهيتكم عن زيارة القبور فزوروها فإنها تذكر الآخرةFor they remind one of death.
فإنها تذكر الموتI fear that with habituation, and with a person entering and exiting while the cemeteries are on his right and left, his heart will become hard and he will not care about this matter. Therefore, I repeat to the brother questioner that if his land is not spacious, meaning it can be included in the two cemeteries, then I see that he should strive to do so so that he may have a reward with Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and be safe from the burden he fears in building between the cemeteries.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.