Is it permissible to purchase a plot of land for the purpose of being buried in it after death?
The ruling on purchasing a plot of land for burial depends on the intention behind it. If the intention is legitimate, such as preparing a dignified burial place due to the poor condition of public cemeteries, or endowing the land for the burial of the testator and others, then there is no objection to it. This is what 'Uthman, 'A'ishah, and 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz did. However, if the intention is to distinguish oneself from others, it is not considered legitimate in Islamic law and is disliked for several reasons: among them is the recommendation to bury in public cemeteries, following the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and so that the deceased may receive the prayers of its visitors, and because it harms the heirs by preventing them from disposing of the land, and it may lead to tampering with the grave later, or venerating and sanctifying the grave, and the motive for that may be arrogance and disdain for equality with people. It is more preferable to be buried with the Muslim community.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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