Fiqh

5- BURIAL

BURIAL

Then the deceased is buried (obligatorily). It is best to bury him in the cemetery.

It is unlawful to bury someone where another person has been buried unless the previous body is completed disintegrated (such that nothing of it remains, neither flesh nor bone).

It is also unlawful to bury two people in the same grave unless absolutely necessary, as when there has been much killing or death, in which case a wall of earth is made between the two bodies as a barrier. If the bodies differ in gender, this is even more imperative, especially when two people (of the same gender or not) are not related.

If someone dies on a ship and it is impossible to bury him on land, the body is placed (tightly lashed) between two planks (to obviate bloating) and thrown into the sea (so that it reaches shore, even if the inhabitants are non-Muslims, since a Muslim might find the body and bury it facing the direction of prayer (qibla».

DIGGING THE GRAVE

The obligatory minimum for a grave is that it conceals the odor of the body and that it protects it from (0: being dug up and eaten by) animals.

It is recommended to dig the grave wider than the obligatory minimum and that its depth equal the height of an average man with his arm fully extended upward.

A lahd (i.e. a grave with a lateral hollow large enough for the body dug into the side of the bottom of the grave that is towards the direction of prayer (qibla» is superior to a shaqq (meaning a simple trench dug down into the middle of the floor of the grave with low block walls raised along the trench’s sides, in which the deceased is placed before the walls are ceilinged with blocks (and the earth is shovel led back into the grave on top of them», unless the earth is soft, in which case the shaqq is preferable (so as not to cave in on the deceased).

It is offensive to bury the deceased in a coffin (or to put in a pillow for him, because all of this wastes money without being of any benefit) unless the earth is soft (quick to fall) or moist (in which cases it is not offensive. If otherwise, then even if a coffin was stipulated by the deceased in his will, it is not provided),

BURYING THE BODY

Men should bury the dead, even if the deceased is female, in which case the best suited is the husband, if able, and then (for either sex) those listed in the funeral prayer preference order except that (when two are on the same level, such as two sons Or brothers) the most learned in Sacred Law is preferred to the oldest, unlike the order for the prayer (the purpose thereof being knowledge of the rules of burial, which a learned person is likely to know better than others).

It is recommended that the number of men (burying the deceased) be an odd number.

It is preferable to conceal it (the grave) with a cloth while placing the body in it (a blanket is stretched over the grave about half a meter above the level of the ground, helpers holding each corner, while another person stands down in the grave at the foot end, ready to take the body from the bier). (This is especially necessary when burying a female, and is done because something might be disclosed of the deceased that is desirable to conceal.)

The head of the deceased is placed near the foot of the grave (foot meaning the end which will accommodate the feet when the body is in place), and the body is slid from the bier headfirst.

It is recommended for the person burying the deceased (who is standing in the grave taking the body, and there may be more than one):

1. to say (to the deceased), “‘In the name of Allah and according the religion of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace)”;

2. to supplicate Allah for (the forgiveness of) the deceased;

3. to place a block as a pillow for him, and to pull back the shroud enough to lay his cheek directly on the surface of the block (as it is more expressive of lowliness);

4. and to place the deceased upon his right side.

It is obligatory that the body be placed facing the direction of prayer (qibla) (and this is absolutely necessary. If buried facing the other way, or lying on his back, he is disinterred and reburied facing the direction of prayer).

The lateral hollow dug into the side of the grave (in the lahd for the body is walled up with blocks (after the body has been placed in it, before filling in the grave. It is Sunna to use nine blocks).

The person at the graveside sprinkles three scoops of earth (using two hands) into the grave. (0: it is Sunna to say with the first, “Of it We created you all,” with the second, “To it We shall make you all return,” and with the third, “And from it We shall bring you forth again” (Quran 20:55).)

Then the grave is filled in, using shovels, after which one stays for a moment:

1. to instruct the deceased (dis: w32) (the answers he will need to know when Munkar and Nakir (u3.3) question him in the grave as to his Lord, religion, and prophet);

2. to supplicate for him (such as to say: “0 Allah, make him steadfast. 0 Allah, teach him his plea”);

3. and to ask forgiveness for him.

THE FINISHED GRAVE

One should raise the grave’s surface (up to) 1 span (about 23 em.) above the ground (so that it can be known, visited, and respected), except in countries at war with the Muslims (where it is not raised but rather concealed, so as not to be meddled with), and to make its top flat is better (than mounding it). No earth should be added (0: when levelling it) to what was excavated from it. It is recommended to sprinkle water over the grave and to put pebbles on it.

It is offensive:

(1) to whiten the grave with plaster.

(2) to build (a cupola or house) over it;

(3) to put khaluq (a perfume) on the grave (as it is of no benefit and wastes money) or rose water;

(4) to place an inscription on it (whether it is the name of the deceased or something other, on a board at the head of the grave or on something else; unless the deceased is a friend of Allah (wali) or religious scholar, in which case his name is written so that he may be visited and honored, it then not being offensive);

(5) or to put a pillow or mattress under the deceased.

VISITING GRAVES

It is recommended for men to visit graves (of Muslims, especially on Fridays. As for visiting graves of non-Muslims, it is merely permissible. The spirit of the dead person has a connection with his grave that is never severed, but is stronger from the midafternoon prayer (‘asr) on Thursday until sunrise on Saturday, which is why people often visit graves on Friday and on Thursday afternoon).

There is no harm in wearing one’s shoes when visiting (to walk between graves). The visitor walks up to the grave as close as he would if the deceased were alive, and says, “Peace be unto you, abode of a believing folk; Allah willing, we will be joining you.”

It is Sunna to recite (as much of the Koran as is easy) and to supplicate Allah (to forgive the deceased, while facing the direction of prayer, as supplications benefit the dead and are more likely to be answered if made after reciting the Quran). (discusses whether the spiritual reward for reciting the Quran may be donated to the deceased.)

It is offensive for women to visit graves (because of their lack of fortitude and excessive grief, though this does not apply to visiting the Prophet’s tomb (Allah bless him and give him peace) which they should do. And like the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in this is their visiting the graves of the prophets, righteous, and learned).

(Source: The reliance of the traveller, revised edition, Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller)

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John Doe

23/3/2019

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John Doe

23/3/2019

John Doe

23/3/2019

5- BURIAL

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