Is it permissible to embalm the deceased and lower him into the grave in a coffin?
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The Shaykh : Take it!
The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you: This questioner asks and says: Is it permissible to embalm the deceased and lower him into the grave in a coffin, knowing that this happens in some Muslim countries?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to embalm. When the deceased dies, he has moved to the Hereafter, so how can we try to keep his body? And what is the benefit in keeping his body?
The questioner : That is not the intention, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Perhaps he is embalmed so that his body remains, and Allah sends insects or vermin to his grave, and they eat it.
The questioner : The intention, O Shaykh, is for a temporary period until, for example, he is transported.
The Shaykh : Absolutely not, unless there is a dire necessity.
The questioner : It will rot, O Shaykh, if it is left.
The Shaykh : How will it rot?
The questioner : For example, if he is transported from the Kingdom to another country.
The Shaykh : Very well.
The questioner : If he is not embalmed, it will change.
The Shaykh : First, why is he being transported to another country?
The questioner : I mean, I mean...
The Shaykh : Is not the earth one?
The questioner : But it is based on the request of his family, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Well, even his family should be informed, and we should tell them: It is not necessary. Even if a person bequeaths that he be buried in a certain place, it is not obligatory for us to carry out his bequest.
The questioner : And lowering him into the grave in a coffin, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible except for a pressing need. If there is a pressing need, such as the ground being all water, then there is nothing wrong with it. But without a pressing need, it is not permissible.
The questioner : Yes, may Allah reward you.
The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you: This questioner asks and says: Is it permissible to embalm the deceased and lower him into the grave in a coffin, knowing that this happens in some Muslim countries?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to embalm. When the deceased dies, he has moved to the Hereafter, so how can we try to keep his body? And what is the benefit in keeping his body?
The questioner : That is not the intention, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Perhaps he is embalmed so that his body remains, and Allah sends insects or vermin to his grave, and they eat it.
The questioner : The intention, O Shaykh, is for a temporary period until, for example, he is transported.
The Shaykh : Absolutely not, unless there is a dire necessity.
The questioner : It will rot, O Shaykh, if it is left.
The Shaykh : How will it rot?
The questioner : For example, if he is transported from the Kingdom to another country.
The Shaykh : Very well.
The questioner : If he is not embalmed, it will change.
The Shaykh : First, why is he being transported to another country?
The questioner : I mean, I mean...
The Shaykh : Is not the earth one?
The questioner : But it is based on the request of his family, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Well, even his family should be informed, and we should tell them: It is not necessary. Even if a person bequeaths that he be buried in a certain place, it is not obligatory for us to carry out his bequest.
The questioner : And lowering him into the grave in a coffin, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible except for a pressing need. If there is a pressing need, such as the ground being all water, then there is nothing wrong with it. But without a pressing need, it is not permissible.
The questioner : Yes, may Allah reward you.