KUALA LUMPUR: The multi-level grave system is viewed as a promising solution to address cemetery land shortages, especially in major cities.
Religious leaders believe that state Islamic Religious departments, particularly in high-density areas, should conduct a comprehensive study of Islamic law regarding the implementation of multi-level graves.
Kedah Fatwa Council member Dr Mohd Hapiz Mahaiyadin noted that no state has yet made a decision on the matter.
"The practice of burying a Muslim body must adhere to 'tadfin,' which means burying it in the ground," he told Berita Harian.
"This can be achieved by placing the body in a burial chamber, similar to practices in Arab countries, which use burial vaults."
Hapiz added that while the proposal for multi-level graves has been discussed and suggested by some state Islamic councils, it has not yet been implemented, as there are still alternative land options for cemeteries.
He said that while multi-level graves are permissible under Islamic law, a thorough study is necessary to explore the methodology and implementation.
Key aspects to be studied include the decomposition rate of bodies, suitable soil types, and the consolidation of remains for relocation.
"For multi-level graves, older graves with decayed remains could be used for new burials on top," he explained. "However, it is crucial to study how long a body remains intact in a grave and to consider separating the remains of non-Mahram individuals.
Additionally, the land must not be waterlogged, and consolidating cemetery sites in one area that includes several districts might be a solution."
Meanwhile, Selangor and Perak Fatwa committee member Dr Muhammad Ayman Al-Akiti said according to Islamic law, multi-level graves are permissible and are already being practiced in other countries, including places such as Madinah and Singapore.
"From a Fiqh perspective, there are no issues with transferring remains to another grave once they have decayed. In critical situations, multi-level graves up to 20 levels are also permissible.
"For large states, where there is still ample wakaf land, this issue may not be a concern. However, in Kuala Lumpur, this proposal is worth considering. In Islam, tombstones (batu nisan) are not necessary, allowing for the placement of new graves over existing ones.
"The public also needs to understand that the cemetery, in the context of our country, is a public cemetery. So (if it is implemented later), there should not be an issue if the tombstones have to be moved and remains relocated," he said.
Ayman, who is also a lecturer at the Department of Usuluddin at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), suggested the multi-level graves model used in Baqi Madinah could serve as a model for implementation in Malaysia.
"In Baqi, they have graves with up to 10 levels. When remains decompose, they are moved to another place and new bodies are buried in place.
"Forensic experts typically estimate that a body takes more than 15 years to decompose," he said.
Skuad Pengurusan Jenazah Malaysia chairman Rafie Zainal said the community's needed to rethink the issue of graves.
"The grave is not a fixed place and does not last forever. For the heirs, the old graves can be visited and then reopened for new burials," he said.
Yesterday, it was reported that in less than five years, Muslim cemetery lots in mosque communities in Kuala Lumpur, particularly in high-density areas, are projected to be full.