Fatwa ID: 08655

 

 

Answered by: Maulana Aabu Saeed Miah

 

Question:

 

I would like to ask in regards to the ruling of a grave headstone. I understand it is permissible for identification purposes, but to what extent is that limited?

 

Gravestones are sold at different heights for example 19inch, 27inch. Is a stone of any height permissible. Head stones are sold of different shapes. Is any shape permissible to use?

 

Is writing the date of birth and date of demise permissible?

 

Is writing rahmatullahi alayh on the headstone permissible?

 

One side question in regards to the grave. Is covering the grave with grass permissible?

 

 

 

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

 

Answer:

 

The purpose of putting details on a gravestone is for recognition only, as you have already understood. Thus, placing such a gravestone which serves this purpose sufficiently is permitted, this can be done with a small gravestone and to go on beyond necessity is not permissible.

 

Therefore, one should place the smallest gravestone possible to achieve this. With respect to shapes, one may pick any simple shape and size they desire while avoiding and unnecessary extravagance. Writing the date of demise will be permissible as this will be included in the necessity of recognition. Writing dua’s such as rahmatullahi alayhi is not permissible as this will contribute to writing on graves unnecessarily.

 

It will be permissible to cover the grave with grass as this does not fall under extravagance.

 

 

 

 

References:

 

” حَتَّى لَا يَذْهَبَ الْأَثَرُ وَلَا يُمْتَهَنَ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِهِ”

“And there is no harm on writing on the gravestone to prevent its signs from vanishing”

ج2 ص238 – كتاب حاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار ط الحلبي – مطلب في دفن الميت-شركة مكتبة ومطبعة مصطفى البابي الحلبي وأولاده بمصر

 

 

 

 

Only Allah knows best

Answered by Maulana Aabu Saeed Miah

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham