Question:

What do the scholars and experts of shari’ah say regarding the burial of men and women in a single grave? Is this permissible in exceptional circumstances?

Answer:

It is wajib (necessary) that a deceased is buried in their own separate grave. The only exception to this is when there are not enough graves for the Muslims to be buried in, only then will it be permissible to bury more than one body in a single grave. The evidence for this is from the beautiful life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ where he would order the burial of several martyrs in a single grave after battle.

It is also wajib for men and women to be buried in separate graves. Again, if people find themselves in exceptional circumstances and separate graves cannot be dug, then the bodies will be buried together but a barrier will be constructed of bricks or mud which will separate the men from the women in the grave.

And Allah ﷻ knows the best

This Fatwa is written by Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Munir Al-Azhari