Use of the graveyard’s wood by those who guard it

Question

What is the ruling on the person who guards the graveyard growing vegetables and the like on the graveyard land and using the income for his own needs, when no salary has been fixed for him and it was agreed: “Tend the graveyard trees, and grow some vegetables and the like to make your living”? Also, what is the ruling on placing the wood of the graveyard trees in the grave over the deceased? And is it permissible to use that wood in the chamber or in the washroom and the like outside the mosque or not?

Answer

It is correct for the one who guards the graveyard to benefit from vegetables and the like in this way. It is correct to use the wood of the graveyard trees in the graves as needed. To use it in the mosque, or in the mosque’s chamber and washroom, without paying its price is not correct.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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