The Issue of Construction Above Graves in Comparative Jurisprudence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Sadegh Pishdad ¹
• Saied Molavi Vardanjani ²
• Mohsen Fahim ³

¹ PhD Candidate, Department of Theology, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Law, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Theology, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Iran

10.22067/jfiqh.2023.81688.1563

Abstract

The condition of construction on graves, which has been referred to in jurisprudence in various terms, has been the subject of different jurisprudential opinions. The majority of Shīʿa and Sunnī scholars deem it disliked (Makrūh) for graves other than those of the prophets, the Imām (peace be upon them), and the highly regarded members of the society. However, the authors of this study, while accepting the aforementioned exceptions, believe that the evidence surrounding the issue (including the majority opinion) is not without flaws. In this context, it is certain that no Shīʿa scholar has issued a fatwa declaring the absolute prohibition of construction on graves. The attribution of such a stance to Shahīd Thānī is incorrect, unless there are inappropriate consequences regarding the burial site or the tools and methods of construction, in which case it may become unlawful (Ḥarām) depending on the circumstances. In addition, the contemporary common practice among Muslims and non-Muslims of placing a gravestone and engraving the name of image of the deceased is certainly intended to honor name and memory of the deceased, to safeguard the body from grave robbers and animals, and to prevent the deterioration and disappearance of the graves, and not intended for any other purpose. Therefore, even if the issue does not fall under the category of compulsion or necessity, there is no objection to it, as the practice has been common among the pious from the advent of Islam to the present time, and neither the Imāms nor some companions of the Prophet have opposed it.

Keywords

• construction over graves
• unlawfulness of construction over graves
• legitimacy of construction over graves
• plastering

Main Subjects

• Religious jurisprudence

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©2025 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

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