Ruling on Raising Graves
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Question:
This questioner asks and says: What is the ruling of the Shari'ah regarding graves that rise above the surface of the ground, such as graves that consist of two levels? This happens because of the narrowness of the area allocated for graves, O Shaykh?
Answer:
It is obligatory that graves be inside the ground. They should dig a grave half a qamah deep and bury the deceased in it, if they are able to do so and if that is feasible. However, if they are in mountainous terrain where they cannot dig, they should pile up gravel from here and there, bury the deceased between them, and place some stones over the trench where they buried him so that it is covered. This is their effort. [Surat al-Taghabun:16].
As for when digging is possible, the Sunnah is to dig for him in the ground and bury him in the ground, and not to raise him above the ground except by the height of a shibr, and what surrounds it, so that it is known to be a grave. As for placing stones or building on the grave without a valid reason, this is not permissible.
The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade plastering the grave, sitting on it, or building on it. However, if dire necessity requires it, one may gather stones, make it like a grave, place the deceased in the center, and put stones on top to cover it. This is if no place is found, and their land is rocky, so that digging is not possible. This is permissible for them; for Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says:[At-Taghabun 64:16] This is permissible for them; for Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [At-Taghabun 64:16]
So if we suppose that people descend into rocky land where there is no place for burial, no place for digging, then they may bury between the stones. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
This questioner asks and says: What is the ruling of the Shari'ah regarding graves that rise above the surface of the ground, such as graves that consist of two levels? This happens because of the narrowness of the area allocated for graves, O Shaykh?
Answer:
It is obligatory that graves be inside the ground. They should dig a grave half a qamah deep and bury the deceased in it, if they are able to do so and if that is feasible. However, if they are in mountainous terrain where they cannot dig, they should pile up gravel from here and there, bury the deceased between them, and place some stones over the trench where they buried him so that it is covered. This is their effort.
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْAs for when digging is possible, the Sunnah is to dig for him in the ground and bury him in the ground, and not to raise him above the ground except by the height of a shibr, and what surrounds it, so that it is known to be a grave. As for placing stones or building on the grave without a valid reason, this is not permissible.
The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade plastering the grave, sitting on it, or building on it. However, if dire necessity requires it, one may gather stones, make it like a grave, place the deceased in the center, and put stones on top to cover it. This is if no place is found, and their land is rocky, so that digging is not possible. This is permissible for them; for Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْSo fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْSo if we suppose that people descend into rocky land where there is no place for burial, no place for digging, then they may bury between the stones. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.