Source: http://qa.muftisays.com/?2653
Question ID: #2653
 
Question: Cremation Form Halaal?
Assalamu Alaikum wr wb.

In my faculty as a Doctor, I am required, on occassion, to complete
death certificates, when, unfortunately, or fortunately for some, a
patient's life is rendered over. In addition to the obligatory death
certificate, I am also, occassionaly, required to fill in cremation
forms. These forms allow the deceased's family to apply for cremation,
i.e. burning of the body.

For every cremation form I fill in, I am paid a fee of £60. This covers
the extra work load for me, which includes booking an appointment with
the morgue, going down and examining the dead body for pacemakers/other
radioactive implants, and then going through the deceased patient's past
medical notes, and filling in a form.

My sawaal is made up of two distinct, but very much related parts:

Part 1 (of 2):
Is it halaal for a Muslim Doctor to fill out a cremation form? Although
this is not considered "obligatory", such a Doctor may be sometimes put
under the position where he or she "must" fill it in.

Part 2 (of 2):
Is the £60 payment halaal income?


JazakAllahu Khair.

Assalamu Alaikum wr wb.
 
 
Answered by: Ulamaa ID 03 (UK)
Date: 05/10/2006 19:45pm

In the Name of Allah, the Inspirer of Truth.
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Cremating a human body is against Islamic principles
and thus signing such a form would tantamount to
aiding in a prohibited act.

If (as you suggest) it is not mandatory to sign a
cremation form you should refuse to do so outright.

If there is pressure on you to sign and refusal could
put your employment in jeopardy, you may fill the form
and donate the money to a charity without any
intention of reward.


And Allah knows Best
Wa Alaykumussalaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

www.foodguide.org.uk

(Mufti) Abdullah Patel
Halal Food Guide
 
www.MuftiSays.com