We are an Islamic Funeral Home located in the United States and we had a question on how to deal with a certain situation that may come up soon due to the recent Ebola virus outbreak. As you know, it may be the case that one of our Muslim brother/sister will pass away as a result of the virus. According the US law, the body must be cremated in this circumstance. As an Islamic Funeral Home, what should we do given that creamtion is not allowed in Islam? Any insight into this matter would be appreciated.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, it is not permissible for one to cremate (or burn) the body of a deceased Muslim even if it is for the purpose of containing a virus.[1] This does not mean that one should not be cautious when handling a body that was infected with Ebola. In such situations, it is recommended that one contacts the state health department or CDC for necessary guidance when dealing with such cases.
According to our research, it does not seem necessary to actually cremate the body of one who died from the Ebola virus. It is stated on the official CDC website regarding Ebola victims in the US:
- Remains should be cremated or buried promptly in a hermetically sealed casket.
- Once the bagged body is placed in the sealed casket, no additional cleaning is needed unless leakage has occurred.
- No PPE is needed when handling the cremated remains or the hermetically sealed closed casket.[2]
In relation to performing ghusl, if the government allows it, then it is necessary for you to perform the ghusl. If physically touching the body is not feasible, then you may pour water over the body using a water jug. If this is not feasible either, then you may perform tayammum of the deceased using gloves or any other protective equipment.[3] Thereafter, the deceased may be placed into a hermetically sealed casket before burying him/her if protocol requires you to do so.[4]
Please note that if medical officers are required to assist you in burying the deceased, then you should let them assist you in the burial process.[5]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Bilal Mohammad
Student Darul Iftaa
New Jersey, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] Kifāyatul Mufti, v. 4 p. 63, Dārul Ishā`at;
Fatāwā Dārul `Uloom Deoband, v. 3 p. 140 & v. 5 p. 274, Dārul Ishā`at
[2] “Guidance for Safe Handling of Human Remains of Ebola Patients in U. S. Hospitals and Mortuaries”, CDC, accessed on November 11, 2014, http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/guidance-safe-handling-human-remains-ebola-patients-us-hospitals-mortuaries.html
[3] Fatāwā Mahmūdiyyah, v. 13 p. 203, Maktabah Mahmūdiyyah;
وفي الفتاوي العتابية: وَلَوْ كان الْمَيِّتُ مُتَفَسِّخًا يَتَعَذَّرُ مَسْحُهُ كَفَى صَبُّ الْمَاءِ عليه
(الفتاوي التاتارخانية، ج ٢، ص ١٠، مكتبة زكريا)
وإذا مَاتَ الرَّجُلُ في السَّفَرِ وَلَيْسَ هُنَاكَ مَاءٌ طَاهِرٌ يُيَمَّمُ وَيُصَلَّى عليه هَكَذَا في الْمُحِيطِ رَجُلٌ مَاتَ ولم يَجِدُوا مَاءً فَيَمَّمُوهُ وَصَلَّوْا عليه ثُمَّ وَجَدُوا مَاءً غُسِّلَ وَصُلِّيَ عليه ثَانِيًا في قَوْلِ أبي يُوسُفَ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى كَذَا في فَتَاوَى قَاضِي خَانْ
(الفتاوي الهندية، ج ١، ص ١٦٠، مكتبة رشيدية)
ومثله في التاتارخانية ج ٢ ص ١٦، مكتبة زكريا
[4] Fatāwā Mahmūdiyyah, v. 13 p. 238, Maktabah Mahmūdiyyah;
[قال الحصكفي] (وَلَا بَأْسَ بِاِتِّخَاذِ تَابُوتٍ) وَلَوْ مِنْ حَجَرٍ أَوْ حَدِيدٍ (لَهُ عِنْدَ الْحَاجَةِ) كَرَخَاوَةِ الْأَرْضِ
[قال ابن عابدين] (قَوْلُهُ: وَلَا بَأْسَ بِاِتِّخَاذِ تَابُوتٍ إلَخْ) أَيْ يُرَخَّصُ ذَلِكَ عِنْدَ الْحَاجَةِ، وَإِلَّا كُرِهَ
(الدر المختار. ج ٢، ص ٢٣٤، ايج ايم سعيد كمبني)
[5] Fatāwā Mahmūdiyyah, v. 13 p. 440, Maktabah Mahmūdiyyah