In Islam, the burial process is carried out with dignity, simplicity, and respect. The guidelines are based on teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and aim to honor the deceased while reminding the living of humility before God. This article explains the essential rulings and recommended practices in a clear and structured way.

1. Accompanying the Deceased to the Grave

Islam teaches that the funeral procession should move at a moderate but brisk pace, respectful and steady, without running.

“Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet (ﷺ) as saying: Walk quickly with a funeral, for if the dead person was good it is a good condition to which you are sending him on, but it he was otherwise it is an evil of which you are riding yourselves” (Sahih Al-Albani)

The purpose is not to rush carelessly, but to avoid unnecessary delay in burial.

Those walking may accompany the body from the front, behind, or either side, as long as they remain close. However, those riding in vehicles should follow from behind, based on a narration collected in Shahihul Jami’ as-Shaghir, in which the Prophet instructed riders to remain behind while those on foot may position themselves freely.

When entering or passing by a cemetery, Muslims are encouraged to recite a supplication for the deceased.

Arab:

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ بِكُمْ لاَحِقُونَ، نَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ لَنَا وَلَكُمُ الْعَافِيَةَ

Latin:

Assalāmu ‘alaikum ahlad-diyāri minal-mu’minīna wal-muslimīn, wa innā in syā’allāhu bikum lāhiqūn, nas’alullāha lanā wa lakumul ‘āfiyah.

Artinya:

“Peace be upon you, O inhabitants of the abodes, believers and Muslims, and we will join you soon if Allah wills. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you.” (HR. Muslim)

2. The Obligation of Burial

Burial is considered a communal obligation (fard kifayah) in Islam. If some members of the community fulfill it, the rest are absolved of sin. This obligation applies even if the deceased was not Muslim. The Prophet once instructed Ali ibn Abi Talib to bury his father, Abu Talib, despite his disbelief (recorded in Sunan an-Nasa’i).

Burying the deceased in a designated cemetery is recommended practice. The Prophet consistently buried his companions in the Baqi cemetery in Madinah.

An exception was made for prophets, “When the Messenger of Allah died, they disagreed over where to bury him. So Abu Bakr said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah saying something which I have not forgotten, he said: “Allah does not take (the life of) a Prophet except at the location in which He wants him to be buried.'” So they buried him at the spot of his bed.” (recorded in Jami` at-Tirmidhi).

Another exception applies to martyrs who die in battle; they are buried at the place where they fell, as occurred after the Battle of Uhud.

3. Times When Burial Is Prohibited

Islam discourages burial during three specific times of the day:

Uqba b. ‘Amir said: “There were three times at which Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) forbade us to pray, or bury our dead: When the sun begins to rise till it is fully up, when the sun is at its height at midday till it passes over the meridian, and when the sun draws near to setting till it sets.”

At sunrise until the sun rises fully.
When the sun is at its highest point before noon.
Just before sunset until it has fully set.

This ruling is based on a narration found in Sunan Ibn Majah (no. 3176) and Shahih Muslim.

Burial at night is generally discouraged unless necessary. The Prophet criticized a burial that took place at night without proper funeral prayer being performed (Sunan an-Nasa’i no. 1787). However, if there is a valid reason, night burial is permitted.

4. The Use of a Coffin

In general, burying the deceased directly in the earth without a coffin is the standard Islamic practice. Classical scholars such as Asy-Syirbini stated that using a coffin without necessity is disliked (makruh) and considered an innovation.

However, if there is a practical need, such as unstable soil, flooding risk, or health concerns, then using a coffin becomes permissible. Scholars like Ibn ‘Abidin clarified that in such cases, it is allowed and may be paid from the deceased’s estate.

5. Preparing the Grave

The grave should be:

Deep enough to prevent exposure.
Wide and properly structured.
Carefully prepared.

This is based on the hadits:

It was narrated that Hisham bin ‘Amir said: “My father was killed on the day of Uhud, and the Prophet said: ‘Dig graves and make them good and wide, and bury two or three in a grave, and put in first the one who knew the Qur’an most.’ My father was the third of three, and the one who knew the Qur’an most was placed (in the grave) first.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 2018)

After the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet instructed the companions to dig graves properly, widen them, deepen them, and bury multiple martyrs in one grave if necessary, prioritizing those who had greater knowledge of the Qur’an.

There are two common grave structures:

Lahd: A niche carved into the side wall facing the direction of prayer (preferred when soil is firm).
Shaqq: A trench dug in the center of the grave (used when soil is soft).

6. Who Should Place the Body in the Grave?

Traditionally, men lower the body into the grave, even if the deceased is female. Close relatives have priority, based on Qur’anic guidance that blood relatives have greater rights among themselves (Qur’an 33:6).

A husband may bury his wife, as indicated in a narration where the Prophet told Aisha that he would personally wash and bury her if she died before him. However, if a husband had marital relations with his wife the night before her death, it is recommended that someone else perform the burial, based on a narration concerning the burial of the Prophet’s daughter.

7. Positioning the Deceased

The deceased is placed:

On their right side.
Facing the direction of the Ka‘bah (the sacred sanctuary in Makkah).

This is based on the understanding that the Ka‘bah is the direction of prayer both in life and death. Scholars such as Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Utsaimin explained that just as a living person is encouraged to lie on their right side, so too is the deceased buried in that position.

The body should be gently supported with soil or bricks to prevent it from rolling onto its back or face.

When placing the body into the grave, it is recommended to say:

بسمِ الله، وعلى سنَّةِ رسولِ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم

“In the name of God and upon the tradition of the Messenger of God.”

This practice is reported in narrations from Abu Dawud and others.

8. Untying the Shroud

The ties used to secure the burial shroud may be loosened after placing the body in the grave. Many scholars consider this recommended but not obligatory. Even if the ties are not removed, it does not affect the deceased’s condition.

Importantly, Islam rejects superstitions that claim the deceased’s spirit will wander if the ties are not untied. The Prophet clearly taught:

“When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.”
(HR. Muslim no. 1631)

The state of the deceased in the grave depends on their faith and deeds, not on physical details such as burial knots.

9. After the Grave Is Closed

After burial:

Attendees may throw three handfuls of soil into the grave.
The grave should be raised slightly (about a handspan) above ground level.
It should be shaped modestly, not built into a large structure.
A simple stone marker may be placed to identify it.
Those present are encouraged to pray for the deceased’s forgiveness.

Sprinkling water over the grave is recommended to help settle the soil, not to “cool” the deceased. Scholars clarified that water has no effect on the comfort of the dead, only their deeds determine their state.

10. Prohibited Grave Practices

Islam strictly prohibits:

Building structures over graves.
Constructing domes or mosques on top of graves.
Writing inscriptions without necessity.
Decorating or painting graves.
Sitting or walking directly over graves.

These prohibitions are based on narrations found in Sahih Muslim (no. 969–970).

The wisdom behind these rulings is to prevent exaggeration in honoring graves, which could lead to forms of idolization or worship of the deceased. Islam strongly protects pure monotheism and seeks to block any path leading toward grave worship.

Islamic burial practices emphasize dignity, simplicity, equality, and humility. Every human being, regardless of wealth or status, returns to the earth in the same way. The guidelines are not meant to complicate the process but to preserve respect for the deceased while safeguarding core Islamic beliefs.

At its heart, Islamic burial is a reminder of life’s temporary nature and the importance of righteous deeds, which alone accompany a person beyond death.

Sources

Badawi al-Khalaf, A. A. bin. (2011). Al-Wajiz: Ensiklopedi Fiqih Islam dalam Al-Qur’an dan As-Sunnah As-Shahihah. Pustaka as-Sunnah.

NU Online. (2018, January 30). Tata cara mengubur jenazah menurut hukum Islam. https://www.nu.or.id/syariah/tata-cara-mengubur-jenazah-menurut-hukumislam-Bx2S4

Purnama, Y. (n.d.). Fikih pengurusan jenazah (5): Tata cara menguburkan mayit. Muslim.or.id. https://muslim.or.id/82359-fikih-pengurusan-jenazah-5-tata-cara-menguburkan-mayit.html