Al-Sharḥ al-Mumtiʿ - Ibn al-'Uthaymin - (5/264)

Al-Sharḥ al-MumtiʿIbn al-'Uthaymin

his two garments.” This is a command, and the basic principle concerning a command is that it denotes obligation. It is known that this is a communal obligation, for it is not possible for every individual to be commanded to shroud the deceased; rather, what is intended is that the shrouding be carried out.

This is the difference between a communal obligation and an individual obligation: an individual obligation is required of every person, whereas in a communal obligation, what is required is that the act be performed.

The third: his statement, “Offering the funeral prayer over him.” Offering the funeral prayer over the deceased is likewise a communal obligation, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, consistently offered the funeral prayer over the dead, and he would say, “Offer the funeral prayer over your companion.” (1) He also commanded that the funeral prayer be offered over the woman who was stoned to death. (2) Allah, Exalted is He, says:

“Never pray over any of them who dies, nor stand at his grave.” [Al-Tawbah: 84]

Since He prohibited offering the funeral prayer over the hypocrites, this indicates that offering it over the believers is an established prescribed practice—and indeed it is so.

The fourth: his statement, “And burying him is a communal obligation.” Burying the deceased is likewise a communal obligation, because Allah, Most High, has bestowed this favor upon His servants, saying:

“Have We not made the earth a receptacle
for the living and the dead?” [Al-Mursalat]

Just as we are obliged to provide shelter in homes for one in dire need, and to conceal him therein when necessary, so too are we obliged to conceal the deceased in his grave.

Likewise, Allah, Most High, says:

“Then He causes him to die and provides a grave for him.” [Abasa]

This was mentioned as a favor, because Allah honored him by granting him burial. He did not make him like other carcasses thrown upon rubbish heaps, in marketplaces, and in courtyards; rather, He honored him by burying and concealing him.

Thus, all four of these are communal obligations. God willing, the manner of washing, shrouding, offering the funeral prayer, and burial will be explained in detail.

(1) Reported by al-Bukhari (2298) and Muslim (1619) (14), on the authority of Abu Hurayrah. (2) Reported by Muslim (1695) (1696).

ثوبيه». وهذا أمر، والأصل في الأمر الوجوب، ومن المعلوم أنه واجب كفاية؛ لأنه لا يمكن أن يؤمر كل واحد من الناس أن يكفن الميت، وإنما المقصود أن يحصل الكفن. وهذا هو الفرق بين فرض الكفاية وفرض العين، ففرض العين مطلوب من كل واحد، وفرض الكفاية المطلوب فيه وجود الفعل. الثالثة: قوله: «والصلاة عليه»، فالصلاة عليه أيضاً فرض كفاية؛ لأن النبي ﷺ كان يصلي على الأموات باستمرار، وكان يقول: «صلوا على صاحبكم» (١)، «وأمر أن يصلى على المرأة التي رجمت» (٢)، وقال الله ﷿: ﴿وَلَا تُصَلِّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ مَاتَ أَبَدًا وَلَا تَقُمْ عَلَى قَبْرِهِ﴾ [التوبة: ٨٤]، فلما نهى عن الصلاة على المنافقين دل على أن الصلاة على المؤمنين شريعة قائمة، وهو كذلك. الرابعة: قوله: «ودفنه فرض كفاية»، فدفن الميت أيضاً فرض كفاية؛ لأن الله تعالى امتن به على العباد فقال تعالى: ﴿أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ الأَرْضَ كِفَاتًا *أَحْيَاءً وَأَمْوَاتًا *﴾ [المرسلات]، فكما أنَّ علينا إيواء المضطر في البيوت، وستره فيها عند الضرورة، فكذلك علينا ستر الميت في قبره. وكذلك قوله تعالى: ﴿ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُ فَأَقْبَرَهُ *﴾ [عبس]، فإن هذا سيق على سبيل المنة؛ لأن الله أكرمه بدفنه، ولم يجعله كسائر الجيف تلقى في المزابل والأسواق والأفنية، بل أكرمه بدفنه وستره. إذاً هذه الأربع كلها فرض كفاية، وسيأتي إن شاء الله بالتفصيل كيفية التغسيل، وكيفية التكفين، وكيفية الصلاة، وكيفية الدفن.

(١) أخرجه البخاري (٢٢٩٨)؛ ومسلم (١٦١٩) (١٤) عن أبي هريرة ﵁. (٢) أخرجه مسلم (١٦٩٥) (١٦٩٦).