Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
What is the Islamic ruling on burying the dead in mosques?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ clearly forbade burying people inside mosques and building mosques over graves. During his final illness, the Prophet ﷺ cursed those who did such acts and warned his Ummah severely against them, stating that:
This is the way of the Jews and Christians.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Janaʾiz, Bāb Mā Yukrahu min Ittikhādh al-Masājid ʿalā al-Qubūr, Ḥadīth: 408
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, Bāb al-Nahy ʿan Bināʾ al-Masājid ʿalā al-Qubūr…, Ḥadīth: 376
◈ Burying people inside mosques or constructing mosques over graves often leads to shirk with Allah ﷻ.
◈ Over time, people develop false beliefs such as:
◈ Such beliefs and practices lead to shirk, contradicting the essence of tawḥīd.
◈ Therefore, it is obligatory for Muslims to:
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَأَنَّ المَسـجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلا تَدعوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا﴾
Sūrat al-Jinn: 18
“And the mosques are for Allah (alone), so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.”
◈ Mosques are exclusively for the worship of Allah ﷻ.
◈ There is no room in them for any manifestation of shirk — outward or inward.
◈ It is an obligation upon Muslims to keep mosques free from all false beliefs, shirk-based practices, and innovations.
This is the correct Sharʿī ruling and the duty of every Muslim.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Question
What is the Islamic ruling on burying the dead in mosques?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ clearly forbade burying people inside mosques and building mosques over graves. During his final illness, the Prophet ﷺ cursed those who did such acts and warned his Ummah severely against them, stating that:
This is the way of the Jews and Christians.
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Janaʾiz, Bāb Mā Yukrahu min Ittikhādh al-Masājid ʿalā al-Qubūr, Ḥadīth: 408 Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, Bāb al-Nahy ʿan Bināʾ al-Masājid ʿalā al-Qubūr…, Ḥadīth: 376Why is Building Mosques over Graves and Burying in Them a Means to Shirk?
◈ Burying people inside mosques or constructing mosques over graves often leads to shirk with Allah ﷻ.
◈ Over time, people develop false beliefs such as:
- That those buried in mosques can bring benefit or avert harm.
- That they can be intermediaries to Allah’s closeness.
- That obeying and showing devotion to them besides Allah is acceptable.
The Dangers of This Practice
◈ Such beliefs and practices lead to shirk, contradicting the essence of tawḥīd.
◈ Therefore, it is obligatory for Muslims to:
- Completely avoid such actions.
- Keep mosques free from graves.
- Build mosques upon the foundation of tawḥīd and sound creed.
Clear Ruling from the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَأَنَّ المَسـجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلا تَدعوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا﴾
Sūrat al-Jinn: 18
“And the mosques are for Allah (alone), so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.”
Conclusion
◈ Mosques are exclusively for the worship of Allah ﷻ.
◈ There is no room in them for any manifestation of shirk — outward or inward.
◈ It is an obligation upon Muslims to keep mosques free from all false beliefs, shirk-based practices, and innovations.
This is the correct Sharʿī ruling and the duty of every Muslim.ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
