Fatwa ID: 06473

 

Answered by: Alimah Sherbhanu Jadwat

 

Question:

 

Is it permissible in Islam to have Grave Headstone Insurance cover?

 

The insurance covers:

Subsidence, Malicious damage/vandalism, theft or attempted theft, Impact by a lawn mover when cutting the grass, storm, flood, falling trees, frost…

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer:

 

The grave headstone is merely used for identification purposes. A simple marker or concrete block will suffice for this purpose.

 

The Ahadith prohibits the building of any elaborate structure upon the grave. The burial rituals in Islam are simple and as cost-effective as possible. The use of elaborate gravestones made from granite and marble etc. is a salient feature of the burial rituals of current-day customs which is impermissible. As such, it will not be permissible for Muslims to build similar structures – as it constitutes.

 

Generally, insuring such headstones will not be permissible. The monies can be used to benefit the living instead, and their rewards accrued to the deceased.

 

However, due to the constant harm on the gravestone and constant repair, it would be exceptionally permissible in this situation to ensure the headstone.[1]

 

 

 

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Alimah Sherbhanu Jadwat

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference: ١) الفتاوى الهندية
الجزء الأول ، الفصل السادس ، في القبر والدفن …دار الأحياء التراث العربي –  بيروت لبنان

و يكره أن يبنى على القبر مسجد أو غيره ، و كذا في
السراج الوهاب” و يكره عندى القبر ما لم يعهد السنة

والمعهود منها…

٢) عن عبد الله بن عمر  رضي الله عنهما – عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «من تَشبَّه بقوم , فهو منهم» [حسن] – [رواه أبو داود وأحمد.]

 

 

[1] الضرر يدفع بقدر الإمكان

Al-Qawaidul Fiqhiyyah, Page 31, Darut-Tirmizi, Damascus, Syria, 1409 H.