What is the ruling of Islamic law (Sharia) and the Prophetic Sunnah regarding the demolition of Islamic graves if they become located within cities or markets due to urban expansion?
The sanctity of a deceased person is like that of a living person. Breaking the bones of a deceased person is like breaking them while they are alive. The grave is a confinement for its occupant, and it is not permissible to walk over it or exhume it except out of necessity. The expansion of the city is not a justification for violating the sanctity of the deceased, and Muslims must organize their lives in a way that does not harm their dead.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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