What are the key points for the burial of the deceased as per the Syed’s teachings?
These points are taken from the Jurisprudence of Islam lessons in the Howzah Mahdawiyyah
- Washing
- Tahneet (use of fragrances like frankincense)
- Takfeen (burial shroud)
- Prayers on deceased
- Burial
In this answer we focus on section 5:
Obligations
Burying in the earth: must cover the body totally
Burial at sea: body is put into the sea, either weighted or just covered in a vessel like barrel
Body should be placed on the right side facing the qiblah in the case of a Muslim or with their back to the qiblah in the case of a non Muslim woman who was impregnated by a Muslim.
Sunnah
Digging the grave deep enough that is as tall as the deceased, or at least, up to their collarbone
Arranging a grave that is aligned to the qiblah which wide enough that they could hypothetically sit
Open the knots of the burial shrouds on the side of the head and feet
To place some soil from the burial place of Imam Husain (as)
To encourage the deceased to give the testimonies and to pray for them
To come out of the grave from the side of the feet
For those present to put soil on the deceased with their palms saying Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajioon (We are for God and to Him we return)
To raise the grave to the length of four fingers
To have four sides
To pour some water on it from the side of the head
To put one’s hand on the grave and show mercy on the deceased
To encourage the guardian / successor after people have left him
Mustahabb
It is encouraged (mustahabb) to lament the passing of the deceased
Undesirable
To put weapons in the grave, unless it is necessary
For people of kin to put soil on the deceased relative
To adorn the grave or to renew it
To bury two deceased individuals in the same grave
To transfer the deceased from one city to another city, unless it is to one of the Islamic ritual sites
For one to lean against or walk over a grave
Reference: شرائع الإسلام كل الأجزاء
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