Matters pertaining to burial

Question:-

What is the best and correct method of burying our deceased? What are the rulings regarding:

1) The planting of flowers / imitation plants planted on the Qabr?

2) Some fill cans of water and throw over the grave (even if no plants are planted)

3) The height of the heap that makes the grave from above the ground?

4) Are females permitted to visit their dear and near when other males are not present?

5) Making a border around the grave with bricks/pavers?

6) Identification of grave by a grave stone, or just a simple standard board for all graves good enough?

7) Erecting a metal heap container that can be filled with sand and water to make a standard heap size for all graves?

8) To purchase a small mechanical loader to drop sand into the grave when there are very few volunteers to fill the grave? (Giving each person a handful of soil to put into the grave)

9) Some people burn Agarbatthee / scented sticks at graves

10) The placing of an item of sentimental value of the person who passed away? Like their coffee mug.

Answer:-

1. Planting of flowers and plants on the grave is not proven from the Ahadith, hence, one should refrain from such a practice.

2. There is no harm in sprinkling water over the grave when filling sand (at the time of burial) to settle the dust. Such a need doesn’t exist at other times generally.

3. The height of the grave should be one handspan, or two handspans at the maximum.

4. Females should not visit the graveyard at all, particularly in these times of Fitnah, even if no men are present.

5. It is not permissible to make the grave solid with bricks or pavers.

6. A simple board with the name of the deceased and grave number may be attached for recognition purposes.

7. There is no need to erect such a container. A piece of wood may be placed in the soil which is equivalent to one or two handspan in height (from ground level). On reaching the required height, additional soil should not be filled.

8. The grave should be filled by hand without the use of any machinery. However, if there are just a few people present for the Janaazah and filling the grave by hand is difficult, then machinery may be used.

9. We did not find any proof from the Quraan and Hadith for such a practice.

10. This is an incorrect practice which should be discarded.

ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai

Date: 19 Shabaan 1444 / 12 March 2023