Database

This is a fatwa issued by the al-Azhar fatwa department on 24 October 2011 responding to a question regarding the permissibility of the destruction of graves.  The fatwa states that Islam prohibits transgression against the sanctity of the deceased and it is therefore not permissible to dig up their graves. In addition, the removal of any corpse from its place or from the mosque in which it is buried, especially the graves of the saints, the pious, martyrs and scholars, destroying its distinguishing marks by flattening it to the ground or destroying whatever is above it is prohibited according to the sacred law - no matter under which pretense it is done - and it is considered from amongst the major sins.

Translation of fatwa by E Moos

The purpose of this dateline is to give a brief impression of the past of Timbuktu, some hint of its broader setting, and note a few of its famous inhabitants and visitors.  It is by no means exhaustive or comprehensive.