Q: I have a generous uncle who endowed a large piece of land in our village
Al-Bukayriyyah.
He endowed it to be a cemetery for all Muslims. The land is very spacious and in a good location. After that a good person suggested that he excludes a small piece of the land to be invested and its revenue to be used as a Waqf (endowment) for the cemetery and other charitable activities. This small piece of land would be handed directly to a Charitable Society in Al-Bakiriyyah to be in charge of it and to supervise it because this will be of great benefit to the cemetery and other charitable activities. It should be noted that this small piece of land will not affect the area of the cemetery which is large. Now, he wants to have Your Eminence's guidance and know the ruling on this. We appreciate your advice! May Allah reward you for doing all that is good for all Muslims!
A:
It is not permissible for a person who endows a piece of land for a cemetery to take a part of it to be used for another purpose. In fact, it should be used as a cemetery for all Muslims just as he intended in the beginning, because it is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said to
`Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) when he asked him for advice as regards his land in
Khaybar:
Give it in charity (i.e. as an endowment) with its land and trees on the condition that the land and trees shall neither be sold nor given as a present.
(Part No. 16; Page No. 99) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.