KUWAIT CITY, Mar 10: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has issued a fatwa prohibiting the use of colored pebbles (salboukh) for decorating graves, emphasizing that it is sufficient to use small, regular, uncolored pebbles to stabilize the soil of the grave. The Funeral Affairs Department of the Kuwait Municipality had requested the Fatwa Department of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to provide a legal ruling regarding the practice of covering graves with crushed gravel (pebbles). In response, the Ministry permitted the placement of gravel on graves under specific conditions.

Turki Al-Mutairi, the Assistant Undersecretary for the Fatwa and Sharia Research Sector at the Ministry, stated, “There is no issue with placing pebbles on graves if it helps stabilize the soil. Some jurists have indicated that this practice aligns with the Sunnah. However, this mustn't lead to the decoration or coloring of graves, as such practices contradict the principles of reflection and admonition intended by Sharia.” He further clarified, “The use of colored pebbles for grave decoration is prohibited. It is sufficient to use small, regular, uncolored pebbles that serve the purpose of stabilizing the grave’s soil.”

The Funeral Affairs Department highlighted in its communication that some funeral directors have relied on previous fatwas to expand the use of pebbles in various sizes and colors, leading to the spread of colored decorations on graves. This practice, they noted, deviates from the legal framework established by Sharia. The department also stressed the importance of obtaining a religious fatwa to enforce the use of a specific color for gravestones, such as white or gray, and to ensure an appropriate, modest size. This measure aims to prevent individuals from exceeding the boundaries of this practice, thereby avoiding innovations in religious practices. Without such guidelines, the department warned, the situation could escalate to the construction and coloring of graves in various shapes, colors, and sizes, which would contravene Islamic principles.