Question
One of our brother’s dad passed away recently and he waters his grave regularly. As you are aware that Bolton's kabristan land is full of pebbles and wood twigs. He wanted to top up the soil but does not want to use kabristan’s. Is it ok to use Topsoil from a garden centre or B&M which is manure free and just soil? He is aware that it is better to use the same land (kabristan’s) but due to the quality of soil, he doesn't like it.
Answer:
ﺑﺴﻢ اﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
When pouring the soil into the grave, it is preferable to make the topsoil into the shape of a camel’s hump and its height the extent of a handspan (the distance between one’s small finger and the thumb when the hand is opened) or a little higher than a handspan.
As for topping up the soil with soil beside the soil that was excavated from the grave, it would be permissible on the condition that the topsoil’s height does not exceed a handspan or slightly higher than a handspan.
Raddul Muhtar: v. 3, p. 142-143 (Maktaba Imdadia)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham