Handing over the body of a deceased Muslim to his non-Muslim family members

Q: If an agreement is reached with the non Muslim family that the Muslims will do the ghusal, kafan and janaza namaz and thereafter hand over the body to the deceased’s non Muslim family. Will this be incorrect?

A: If he is a Muslim, then he should be given an Islamic burial. Handing over the body to the non Muslims for burial is not permissible unless Muslims do not have control over the situation.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

وليس للكافر غسل قريبه المسلم

قال الشامي : قوله ( وليس للكافر الخ ) أي إذا لم يكن للمسلم قريب فيتولى تجهيزه المسلمون ويكره أن يدخل الكافر في قبر قريبه المسلم ليدفنه بحر (رد المختار 2/231)

Answered by:

Mufti Zakaria Makada

Checked & Approved:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)