The ruling on a brick-built grave

Question

Is it the sunna to build a brick-built grave or an earthen one? If the brick-built one is sunna, then the graves of ordinary Muslims turn out to be contrary to the sunna. And if the earthen one is sunna, then what is the ruling on the one who declares what is contrary to the sunna to be [a deed of] reward — that is, he calls building a brick-built grave a reward (thawab) and makes every kind of effort for it, both personal and financial? What is [the ruling on] eating and drinking at his house and helping him?

Answer

Building an earthen grave is sunna; building a brick-built grave is contrary to the Shari‘a and a sin (“al-Tahtawi”, p. 335). One who makes personal and financial effort in an impermissible matter is a sinner. He should be restrained from it by being made to understand; and if he does not listen, he should not be helped in this matter.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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