Issue of Opening a Grave and Its Shar‘i Guidance
Question:
Issue of opening the grave of a deceased person and advice regarding its legal and Shar‘i implications
Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir (ḥafiẓahullāh)
This matter involves several important considerations:
There remains a possibility that the deceased may have entered a coma (a state of unconsciousness), and the family might have mistakenly assumed death and proceeded with burial.
The key question here is:
Was death confirmed by a medical professional?
This is a crucial point that must be pondered upon carefully.
At times, after death, some minor movements in body parts may still occur, such as the eyes opening or closing.
It is possible that the eyes were left open and reopened even after being closed, but this is not considered abnormal or unusual.
The mother of the deceased seeing dreams and experiencing mental stress may likely be the result of her thoughts and emotional condition.
Most dreams are influenced by mental stress or internal thoughts, and in this scenario, such dreams may be unreal or imaginary.
If, after thoroughly examining all aspects, a decision is made to open the grave, then it should be done in accordance with legal procedures.
There is no harm in reopening the grave following the law, so that the family can attain peace of mind.
However, one must keep in mind that even after opening the grave, a clear conclusion may not be reached.
The presence of a scholar or a Maulana at the time of opening the grave holds no Shar‘i or worldly objection.
Their role may simply be to provide spiritual support and emotional comfort to the family, which is completely appropriate.
والله أعلم
Question:
Issue of opening the grave of a deceased person and advice regarding its legal and Shar‘i implications
Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir (ḥafiẓahullāh)
❖ Multiple Aspects of the Issue
This matter involves several important considerations:
① Possibility of Coma (Unconsciousness):
There remains a possibility that the deceased may have entered a coma (a state of unconsciousness), and the family might have mistakenly assumed death and proceeded with burial.
The key question here is:
Was death confirmed by a medical professional?
This is a crucial point that must be pondered upon carefully.
② Movement of Body Parts After Death:
At times, after death, some minor movements in body parts may still occur, such as the eyes opening or closing.
It is possible that the eyes were left open and reopened even after being closed, but this is not considered abnormal or unusual.
③ Psychological Effects and Dreams:
The mother of the deceased seeing dreams and experiencing mental stress may likely be the result of her thoughts and emotional condition.
Most dreams are influenced by mental stress or internal thoughts, and in this scenario, such dreams may be unreal or imaginary.
④ Matter of Opening the Grave:
If, after thoroughly examining all aspects, a decision is made to open the grave, then it should be done in accordance with legal procedures.
There is no harm in reopening the grave following the law, so that the family can attain peace of mind.
However, one must keep in mind that even after opening the grave, a clear conclusion may not be reached.
❖ Role of Scholars and Religious Figures
The presence of a scholar or a Maulana at the time of opening the grave holds no Shar‘i or worldly objection.
Their role may simply be to provide spiritual support and emotional comfort to the family, which is completely appropriate.
والله أعلم
