Extracting the torn off pieces of the dead victims from the wreckage of the car, collecting and wrapping them in pieces of cloth, and offering Janazah

Fatwa no. 20763 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon the Last of the Prophets.The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has examined the question submitted to the Grand Mufty by the Judge of Mohail Asir Court that was referred to the Committee from the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars under no. 6545 on 06/11/1419 A.H. Following is the wording of the questioner:The police administration in our locality often sends inquiries relating to car accidents in which all the passengers die and their bodies get mutilated and mixed up with the car's debris. They apply to us for permission to bury the car with the torn off body pieces which the police fail to extract. They aim to preserve the sanctity of the deceased. Yet, these cars may be stolen and it is not known from whom they have been stolen or who is the stealer from among the victims and by burial of the car, the right of the owner will be wasted. We hope that Your Eminence could provide us with a Fatwa (legal opinion issued be a qualified Muslims scholar) to guide the police either to (Part No. 7; Page No. 315) bury or not to bury the mentioned stolen cars. May Allah safeguard you! As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

After the Committee examined the Fatwa request, their answer was that it is obligatory to extract the torn off pieces of the dead victims from the wreckage of the car, collect and wrap them in pieces of cloth, offer Janazah (Funeral) Prayer for them and then bury them. This applies unless there are some torn off pieces that cannot be extracted due to their being mixed with the iron parts; the obligation is waived in this case because Allah (Exalted be He) says: So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can As for the stolen car, it must be given back to its rightful owner.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.