Most-asked question
Are tombstones and building on graves permissible?
16 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 3 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, AskImam, Azaadville). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“A grave should be simple without any sort of decorations. However, it is permissible to erect a gravestone for identification purposes only.”
“It is not permissible. Purchasing a headstone is not from among the burial expenses, and therefore cannot be paid from the estate. The gold bangles will form part of the estate and will have to be distributed among the heirs according to the stipulated shares of inheritance.”
“It is makrooh to label a qabr or put any kind if writings on a qabr without any reason. Yes, for identification it will be permissible to put a label with only the name of the person by using a stone or name plate with name written on it.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Method Of Marking Graves Azaadville · 24 Oct 2021
- Putting a headstone on a grave AskImam · 2 Aug 2021
- Selling one's late mothers bangles to pay for her headstone Mufti Online · 11 Apr 2017
- Should we add Arabic on the headstone of our grandfather’s grave? AskImam · 29 Aug 2016
- Grave stones and reusing old graves Mufti Online · 4 May 2013
- How is it to hang plaque in the masjid? AskImam · 7 Apr 2014
- Writing durood on tombstones Mufti Online · 7 Feb 2018
- Are you allowed to change a name on a grave stone? AskImam · 4 Oct 2012
- Marking the grave Mufti Online · 29 Mar 2015
- Is it true that it is haram to place a dead person in a coffin to bury him/her? What about tombstones, are they haram as well? AskImam · 17 Mar 2006
- Tombstones Mufti Online · 31 Jan 2015
- Are Grave stones made of Granite or Marble also known as headstones allowed on Muslim Graves? AskImam · 6 Oct 2003
- Tombstones Mufti Online · 7 Jan 2015
- What do our Fuqaha mention about tomb stones and is it permissible for us as custodians of the graveyard to put a plate on each grave stating the name of the deceased, the date of his birth and demise? AskImam · 2 May 2010
- Placing a plaque with a short dua instead of the donor's name on a well Mufti Online · 11 Jan 2024
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