Is it permissible, in Islamic law, to open a grave and move the deceased for the purpose of rebuilding the cemetery, given that the deceased was buried there five months ago?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The fundamental principle is that it is impermissible to construct graves, rather, they must be leveled to about a handspan above the ground. Building upon graves is not allowed except out of necessity, such as fearing that the deceased might be exhumed or dug up. If there is no need for construction, it is not permissible to exhume or move the father's grave; it must be left as it is. However, if there is a necessity that permits construction, then it is permissible to move it for that purpose, because exhuming a grave and moving the deceased from it is not allowed except for a legitimate reason.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/117031
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 117031
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy