Forensic archaeologist as a career

19-4-2006 | IslamWeb

Question:

I work as a forensic archaeologist, this means that I work with the authorities to try and determine the identity of people who've died whenever DNA identification is not possible. I participate in performing autopsies and in skeletalizing human remains. I also work with archaeological remains and in the dis-internment and re-internment of individuals buried in cemeteries. Is this work Haraam? I would like to revert to Islam, but need to know about this before I do so.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

First of all, we welcome you and we thank you for visiting our site, and we hope you will continue to visit it and ask about any question you might have. We will endeavour to the best of our ability to answer your questions.

As regards your question, in principle there is no harm for you to work in the field you mentioned, as the nature of this work brings benefits and repels harms, and Islam came to achieve benefits and prevent harms.

On this occasion we advise you to endeavour to embrace Islam which is a comprehensive religion, applicable for all times and places, and for all people and nations. Islam is the true religion and a person is obliged to follow it in order to achieve happiness and success in this world and in the Hereafter. It is the way which leads a person to Paradise, Allaah willing, whose width is like the heavens and the earth, and in it are countless forms of enjoyment. In paradise there is what eyes have never seen, what ears have never heard of, and the minds or hearts of the people can never perceive. Furthermore, if one embraces Islam, he saves himself from the punishment of the Hellfire and the severe and unbearable torture therein. 

Allaah does not accept any religion other than Islam. Allaah Says (what means): {And whoever desires other than Islam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.}[Quran 3:85]. Allaah further Says (what means): {Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allaah is Islam.}[Quran 3:19]. In another verse Allaah Says (what means): {…This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion….}[Quran 5:3].

So take the initiative to embrace Islam in order to be admitted into Paradise and enjoy countless pleasures therein, and be saved from the eternal torture of Hellfire. 

Finally, for more benefit, you may refer to Fataawa [plural of Fatwa] 88906, 88051, 88176, 86091, 81979 and 85234 all of which are about Islam.

Allaah Knows best.