Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear brother in Islam, Assalamualaikum,

I read your Q&A and learn a great deal from them.

I am an old man, a retired teacher aged 72 (nearing 73) by the Grace and Mercy of Allah Almighty. Of course I don't know my time of leaving this world but am doing my best to prepare for that time by constanly asking for Allah's forgiveness. But my question is about my desire, or wish to be buried alongside my departed life's companion. Does anything in Islam forbid that? Of course, again, I know where I will die or be buried. Now someone has objected to that...please remember that I haven't made it compulsory on my children that they must definitely bury me at that particular site! As far as I know Hazarat Ayesha (RA) and Hazarat Umer (RA) did desire to be buried alonside Our Holy Prophet (SAW)! Please set my mind at peace!

May Allah shower His Benevolent Blessing on you and the entire Ummah, Ameen!

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Bury alongside loved one

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: …..But my question is about my desire, or wish to be buried alongside my departed life's companion. Does anything in Islam forbid that?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.475 Narrated by Amr bin Maimun Al Audi

I saw Umar bin Al-Khattab (r.a.) (when he was stabbed and on his death-bed) saying to his son, "O 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (r.a.)! Go to the mother of the believers Aisha and say, 'Umar bin Al-Khattab sends his greetings to you,' and request her to allow me to be buried with my companions (The Prophet (saws) and Hadrat Abu-Bakr (r.a.))." So, Abdullah Ibn Umar (r.a.) conveyed the message to Hadrat Aisha (r.a.). She said, "I had the idea of having this place for myself but today I prefer him (Hadrat Umar (r.a.)) to myself (and allow him to be buried there)." When Abdullah bin 'Umar (r.a.) returned, Hadrat Umar (r.a.) asked him, "What (news) do you have?" He replied, "O chief of the believers! She has allowed you (to be buried there)." On that Hadrat Umar (r.a.) said, "Nothing was more important to me than to be buried in that place. So, when I expire, carry my body there and pay my greetings to her (Hadrat Aisha (r.a.) ) and say, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab asks permission; and if she gives permission, then bury me (there); and if she does not, then take me to the graveyard of the believers.’

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 9.428 Narrated by Abu Hisham.

Hadrat Aisha (r.a.) said to Hadrat Abdullah bin Az-Zubair (r.a.): ‘(When I die) Bury me with my female companions (i.e. the wives of the Prophet (saws)) and do not bury me with the Prophet (saws) in my house, for I do not like to be regarded as sanctified (just for being buried there).’

Respected brother in Islam, in light of the above guidance of the noble companions of the Messenger of Allah (saws), there is absolutely no harm if one wills or requests their loved one’s when one is alive to bury them in the place of their choice.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan