Prohibition of Building Solid Graves: 3 Sharʿī Evidences Explained
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Janā’iz, Page 528
In our locality, almost every grave is constructed with cement or bricks. Is there any Sharʿī evidence to support the practice of making graves solid or permanent?
(Ḥājī Naẓīr Khān, Dāmān Hazro)
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
There is no evidence in the Sharīʿah to support the practice of building or fortifying graves with concrete or bricks. On the contrary, there are clear authentic narrations that prohibit such actions.
"نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يجصص القبر وأن يقعد عليه وأن يبنى عليه"
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade plastering graves, sitting on them, and building upon them.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 870, Dār al-Salām numbering: 2245
This ḥadīth clearly prohibits three things:
✖ Plastering or reinforcing the grave
✖ Sitting upon it
✖ Constructing anything over it
◈ Imām al-Shāfiʿī (رحمه الله) and the majority of scholars (jumhūr) are of the view that constructing a grave is makrūh taḥrīmī (prohibitively disliked), and in many cases, ḥarām (forbidden).
✔ This is based on the explicit texts and the consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions regarding simplicity in burial.
Further detailed evidence and scholarly views can be found in the following references:
◈ Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim by Imām al-Nawawī — Vol. 1, p. 312
◈ Al-Mawsūʿah al-Fiqhiyyah — Vol. 32, p. 250
◈ “Bidʿāt kā Sharʿī Postmortem” — p. 436 (Al-Ḥadīth magazine, issue 61)
These sources consolidate the ruling that permanent or decorated graves contradict the teachings and practice of the Prophet ﷺ and the Salaf.
Conclusion:
✔ Strengthening or constructing over graves is not permissible in Islam.
✔ It is an innovation that goes against the simplicity prescribed in Islamic burial rites.
✔ Muslims should avoid this practice and revive the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in funeral and burial practices.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Volume 1, Kitāb al-Janā’iz, Page 528
❖ Question
In our locality, almost every grave is constructed with cement or bricks. Is there any Sharʿī evidence to support the practice of making graves solid or permanent?
(Ḥājī Naẓīr Khān, Dāmān Hazro)
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
There is no evidence in the Sharīʿah to support the practice of building or fortifying graves with concrete or bricks. On the contrary, there are clear authentic narrations that prohibit such actions.
❖ Three Sharʿī Evidences Against Constructing Solid Graves
① Explicit Prohibition by the Prophet ﷺ
"نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يجصص القبر وأن يقعد عليه وأن يبنى عليه"
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ forbade plastering graves, sitting on them, and building upon them.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 870, Dār al-Salām numbering: 2245This ḥadīth clearly prohibits three things:
✖ Plastering or reinforcing the grave
✖ Sitting upon it
✖ Constructing anything over it
② Position of the Jurists
◈ Imām al-Shāfiʿī (رحمه الله) and the majority of scholars (jumhūr) are of the view that constructing a grave is makrūh taḥrīmī (prohibitively disliked), and in many cases, ḥarām (forbidden).
✔ This is based on the explicit texts and the consistent practice of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions regarding simplicity in burial.
③ Reference Works Supporting the Prohibition
Further detailed evidence and scholarly views can be found in the following references:
◈ Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim by Imām al-Nawawī — Vol. 1, p. 312
◈ Al-Mawsūʿah al-Fiqhiyyah — Vol. 32, p. 250
◈ “Bidʿāt kā Sharʿī Postmortem” — p. 436 (Al-Ḥadīth magazine, issue 61)
These sources consolidate the ruling that permanent or decorated graves contradict the teachings and practice of the Prophet ﷺ and the Salaf.
Conclusion:
✔ Strengthening or constructing over graves is not permissible in Islam.
✔ It is an innovation that goes against the simplicity prescribed in Islamic burial rites.
✔ Muslims should avoid this practice and revive the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in funeral and burial practices.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
