In need of a Muslim graveyard

12-7-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have a question about funeral/graves. I converted to Islam almost 2 years ago, Alhamdulillah! I live in Denmark where Muslims don't have their own burial place. We Muslims have only a few places for graves not far from where the Christians are buried!
The problem here in Demark is that after around 20 years if the grave is not paid for they demolish it! What are Muslims to do in such a case? I don't think I could be placed in a Muslim country since I was born and still live in Denmark.

---

Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

First and foremost we congratulate you for becoming Muslim and Praise be to Allah, Who guided you to the right path. We ask Allah to make you firm and steadfast on His religion.

The fuqaha (Islamic jurists) agree that it is forbidden to bury a Muslim in a non-Muslim graveyard and vice-versa, except in case of dire necessity where it may become permissible to bury a Muslim and a Kafir (non-Muslim) even in one tomb.  Since it is forbidden for Muslims and Kafirs to be bruied together, it is obligatory to transfer the corpses of Muslims buried in non-Muslim grave yards to those of Muslims if and when it is possible.

Therefore, the Muslims who reside in that country should endeavor to find a graveyard of their own.  We advise you to take the initiative to do so by collecting money from pious rich people and you will get the reward from Allah for this, Insha Allah. We ask Allah to enable you and us to do whatever He loves and He is pleased with and to make us firm on His right path.

Allah knows best.