Are graveyards removed after forty years have passed over them?
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Question:
We have heard that graveyards are removed after forty years have passed since the last burial in them. Is this correct? We see that the bones have crumbled, with no difference between one body and another. Please inform us; may Allah reward you.
Answer:
There is no basis for this, but a group of scholars mentioned: if a graveyard has been in use for a long time, the bones have crumbled, and the deceased has become dust, then it is permissible to bury others in it. However, as long as there are remains of bones or relics, what is recommended, indeed obligatory, is that no one else be buried with them, except in cases of dire necessity, such as when the land is narrow and the number of dead is large. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did on the day of Uhud when the dead were numerous; they buried two or three in one grave. However, when there is space, it is obligatory that each person be in a separate grave, and that no one be buried on top of another until he is completely decomposed, with no trace remaining, neither a limb nor anything else. As for this hadith you mentioned about forty years, it has no basis. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
We have heard that graveyards are removed after forty years have passed since the last burial in them. Is this correct? We see that the bones have crumbled, with no difference between one body and another. Please inform us; may Allah reward you.
Answer:
There is no basis for this, but a group of scholars mentioned: if a graveyard has been in use for a long time, the bones have crumbled, and the deceased has become dust, then it is permissible to bury others in it. However, as long as there are remains of bones or relics, what is recommended, indeed obligatory, is that no one else be buried with them, except in cases of dire necessity, such as when the land is narrow and the number of dead is large. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did on the day of Uhud when the dead were numerous; they buried two or three in one grave. However, when there is space, it is obligatory that each person be in a separate grave, and that no one be buried on top of another until he is completely decomposed, with no trace remaining, neither a limb nor anything else. As for this hadith you mentioned about forty years, it has no basis. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.