Cremation

Q: Singapore is a small country with a very limited area that is used mostly for establishing buildings and factories. Therefore, the Singaporean government encourages citizens to burn the dead. However, this does not apply to Muslims since they must bury their dead.The government is now reconsidering the limited area of the Muslim cemetery in Singapore in the long run. In this regard, the government would like to know more about the possibility of frequent use of the grounds for burial and about the traditions and Sunan (actions following the example of the Prophet) regarding the burial process.

A: According to the Shari`ah (Islamic law), the basic principle in this regard is that a Muslim should be buried in an independent grave if possible, in the sense that no one else who dies simultaneously or subsequently should be buried with them. Another basic principle is that it is impermissible to disinter the bodies from multiple graves to put them in a mass tomb.If this is unfeasible due to limited space or to the considerable difficulty in burying each dead person independently, because of increasing death rates as a result of plagues, mass murders or the like, it is then permissible to bury more than one dead body in one grave. (Part No. 7; Page No. 286) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.