Covering the graves with wooden planks

Question:-

What is the wisdom behind using planks to cover the grave? Can any other material be used? Is this mentioned in the Hadith? Where was this practice adopted from?

Answer:-

It is recorded in the Kitaabs of Fiqh that unbaked bricks and bamboo will be used to close the mouth of the grave. It is recorded in a narration of Musannaf Ibn Abi Shai’bah that bamboo is liked or preferred. It is possible that pieces of timber are used nowadays to close the mouth of the grave as bamboo is not commonly found in our country. In conclusion, unbaked bricks, bamboo or pieces of timber (in the absence of bamboo) may be used to cover the mouth of the grave. One should refrain from utilizing other material. The bamboo or wood used as a replacement will soon decay which will become the means of attracting the mercy of Allah Ta’ala upon the deceased.

ويسوى اللبن عليه والقصب وكره الآجر والخشب (نور الايضاح – فصل في الدفن)

عن ابراهيم قال كانوا يستحبون اللبن ويكرهون الاجر ويستحبون القصب ويكرهون الخشب (مصنف ابن ابي شيبة – رقم 11769

قبر  بوسیدہ ہونے کے لئے ہے  ۔ اور بوسیدہ قبر پر رحمت زیادہ  اترتی ہے اس لئے قبر کو کچی  اینٹ اور بانس سے منہ پاٹ دیا جائے ۔۔۔ (ثمرة    النجاح ص538)   

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 19 Dhul Qa’dah 2022 / 20 June 2022