Rulings and etiquettes of the grave and burial

O devotees of the Prophet! Bringing the speech to its conclusion, we will have the honour of listening to some rulings and etiquettes pertaining to the grave and burial:

   *Burying more than one person in a single grave is not permissible without a need; if there is a need, then it can be done.  (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 846 – FatawaHindiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 166)

   *It is recommended (Mustahab) to place the deceased at the side of the Qiblah from the grave so that the deceased is lowered into the grave from the direction of the Qiblah. The deceased should not be placed at the foot side and then lowered from the head side.

(Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 844)

   *According to the need, two or three people should enter the grave, and it is better if they are strong and pious individuals. A female deceased should be lowered in the grave by her Maharim, if they are not available, then her other relatives should do so, and if they are not available either, then righteous individuals should lower her into the grave.

(Fatawa Hindiyyah, vol.1, pp. 166)

   *From the moment of lowering the deceased female into the grave right up until placing the planks, she should be covered with a cloth.

   *The following Du’a should be recited when lowering the deceased into the grave: بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ وَبِاللّٰہِ وَعَلٰی مِلَّۃِ  رَسُوْلِ اللّٰہ. (Tanveer-ul-Absaar, vol. 3, pp. 166)

   *The deceased should be placed on his right side and his face should be turned towards the Qiblah. The knots of the shroud should be opened as there is no need for them now; there is no harm if they are not opened either. (Fatawa Hindiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 166; Jauharah, pp. 140)

   *The one who unties the knots of the shroud should recite the following Du’a: اَللّٰہُمَّ لَا تَحْرِمْنَا اَجْرَہٗ وَلَا تَفْتِنَّا بَعْدَہٗ i.e. O Allah Almighty! Do not deprive us of this reward and do not indulge us in mischief after this. (Haashiyah Tahtaawi, pp. 609)