Question
One Muslim family lives in the remote countryside of New South Wales, Australia. They are the only Muslim family in the town. The brother is a revert from that town and the sister is an Arab Muslim background. They lost their teenage son seven years back in a car accident. He was buried in the cemetery of the town along with the other religions. His grave is the only Muslim grave there and unfortunately, the grave was vandalized a couple of occasions by local junkies. The family is now planning to relocate from the town as their other 2 sons will finish university at the end of next year insha’Allah. So the family wants to RELOCATE THEIR SON'S GRAVE AS WELL. So is that permissible? If yes, what is the Islamic ruling for that? Is there any other advice that can be given for the family in their overall situations?
Answer:
ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
According to the above-mentioned scenario that you described, it will not be permissible for them to relocate their son’s grave (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband: v. 5, p. 255 & 271 (Darul Isha’at). If the parents desire to visit their son’s grave, they are still able to do so despite moving to another city. For more details, kindly refer to the following link:
http://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/burial-in-non-muslim-cemetaries/
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham