Short answer
Not if there is a choice. Muslims should be buried in a Muslim cemetery or a separate Muslim section of a public cemetery. Burying a Muslim among non-Muslim graves is only allowed when there is truly no other option, and then in a corner set apart if possible.
A Muslim is buried in the graves of Muslims. Burying a Muslim among non-Muslims without necessity is not permitted. A designated Muslim section within a general cemetery is acceptable. In real necessity, the burial is valid and the place should be as separate as possible.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
From the time of the Prophet ﷺ, Muslims had their own graves, separate from the graves of others. The four schools agree that Muslims should be buried together, among people who share their faith and whose graves will be visited with dua.
What counts as a Muslim cemetery today. In the US, UK, Canada and Europe, most Muslims are buried in one of these:
- A cemetery owned by a mosque or Muslim association.
- A Muslim section of a city or council cemetery, set apart and laid out facing the qiblah. Scholars accept this.
- A private cemetery with a dedicated Islamic area.
If there is no Muslim section nearby. It is better to travel a reasonable distance to a Muslim cemetery, or to ask the cemetery to set aside a separate plot, than to bury among non-Muslim graves. Only if none of this is possible may the person be buried there, in a corner away from other graves if possible, with the face toward the qiblah. The burial is still valid and the person loses nothing by it.
A convert with non-Muslim family. Families sometimes want a convert buried in the family plot. Speak gently, explain the person's faith, and show their written wishes if they left any. A will that asks for Muslim burial helps a great deal; see the Islamic will builder.
Mosques often keep lists of local Muslim cemeteries and their costs, and some sell plots in advance.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Abasa 80:21
ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُۥ فَأَقْبَرَهُۥ ﴿٢١﴾
Then He causes his death and provides a grave for him.
Allah provides a grave for every person, and the Muslim grave has its own rulings.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3230
Graded hasan... لقد أدرك هؤلاء خيرا كثيرا ...
"Passing the graves of the idolaters he said: these have missed much good. Then passing the graves of the Muslims he said: these have attained much good."
The narration shows the graves of Muslims and of idolaters were in separate places.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Salah, Bab Salat al-Janazah. Muslims are not buried in the graves of non-Muslims, and the related cases.
- al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Kitab al-Salah, chapter on jana'iz. Separating the graves of Muslims.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.