Question (Q-83)
Due to financial difficulties when we arrived here in England from the subcontinent, our community elders set up a death committee. The purpose of this death committee is to arrange for the funeral and burial arrangements. There are terms and conditions of the committee which are attached to this question. These terms and conditions were set up to ensure the services provided by the committee continue and that there is no hindrance to their persistence. Even though funeral costs of members are covered, they do not view this to be a remuneration as there are members who have been paying the yearly membership fee for a period of forty years. The amount they have paid is much more in comparison to new members but they do not object to the funeral costs of new members being covered in the same way as theirs. Is it permissible to become a member of such a death committee?
Answer:
Becoming a member of such a death committee as described by the questioner is permissible. The purpose of joining such a death committee is to assist a good cause and to mutually assist each other in arranging funeral and burial costs. It is a principle of Islamic Law that matters are based upon their purpose;
الأمور بمقاصدها
Becoming a member of such a committee is voluntary. Therefore the terms and conditions that have been set up are correct. It is clear to a person who becomes a member that the annual fee that he or she is paying is a contribution towards covering the funeral and burial costs of members and that this money will not be returned to him or her in any circumstance.
It is stated in Al Fatāwā Ar Ridhwiyyah, Volume 19, Page 161 (Lahore publication),
“He certainly gave this money to assist a good cause as is done when funds are gathered to spend on noble initiatives. In such a situation, the money gathered remains in the ownership of the person who gave the donation and it is spent on the noble initiative with his permission.”
And Allah knows best
Written by: Shaykh Omar Khan (Allah preserve him)
Verified by: Mufti Shamsulhuda Khan Misbahi (May Allah preserve him)
