Burying a Muslim in countries of disbelief: a Sharee‘ah ruling

20-1-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

I, along with my family, have been staying in Italy for 25 years: is it permissible for a Muslim to be buried in the same country in which he dies, even though the majority of its inhabitants are Christians? Shipping the dead body to Egypt costs 4,000 Euro. Are the living not more worthy of the money than the deceased?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

There is nothing wrong with burying a deceased Muslim in a country of disbelievers but it must not be in their graveyard. This is attested in the burial of Abu Ayyoob  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him near Constantinople. There is also nothing to indicate that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and his Companions  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  them were eager to transport the martyrs who were killed in the land of disbelief. But, at the same time, a Muslim should be eager to live in the countries of Muslims if possible. This becomes binding upon him if he fears the loss of religion and morality for himself and his children.

 Allaah Knows best.

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