Dalīl al-Ṭālib - Marʿi al-Karmi - (70)

It is permissible to offer the funeral prayer for the deceased from the time of his burial up to a month and a little more; after that it is forbidden.1

Section

Carrying the bier and burying the deceased are communal obligations, but the duties of carrying, burial, and shrouding are not required for a non-Muslim.

It is disliked to accept payment for any of that or for washing the body.

It is recommended2 that one who is walking proceed in front of the funeral procession, while one who is riding remain behind it, and being close to the bier is better.

It is disliked to stand up for the passing bier or to raise one’s voice in its presence, even with dhikr or Qur’an.

It is recommended3 that the grave be dug deep and wide without a set limit;4 what suffices is whatever prevents beasts from reaching the body and contains the odor.

It is disliked to place wood or anything scorched by fire inside the grave, to spread bedding beneath the body, or to set a pillow under its head.5

(1) That is, provided the corpse is still above ground; the funeral prayer may be offered even after more than a month if the body has been treated with abir (ambergris) or a similar preservative. See Labadi, Hashiya, p. 110. (2) MS N reads: “wa yustann” (“it is recommended”). (3) MS N likewise reads: “wa yustann”. (4) MS N adds the word “min”. (5) MS N has “massahu” in place of “massat-hu”.

ويجوز: أن يصلى على الميت من دفنه إلى شهر وشيء ويحرم: بعد ذلك.١ فصل وحمله ودفنه: فرض كفاية لكن يسقط الحمل والدفن والتكفين بالكافر. ويكره: اخذ الأجر على ذلك وعلى الغسل. وسن٢: كون الماشي أمام الجنازة والراكب خلفها. والقرب منها أفضل. ويكره: القيام لها ورفع الصوت معها ولو بالذكر والقرآن. وسن٣: أن يعمق القبر ويوسع بلا حد ويكفي ما يمنع٤ السباع والرائحة. وكره: إدخال الخشب وما مسته٥ نار ووضع فراش تحته وجعل مخدة تحت رأسه.

١ أي ما لم يكن غير مدفون, فيصلي عليه ولو مضي أكثر من شهر, بأن كان مطليا بعبير ونحوه. حاشية اللبدي "ص: ١١٠". ٢ في "ن" "ويسن". ٣ في "ن" "ويسن". ٤ في "ن" زيادة: "من". ٥ في "ن": "مسه" بدل "مسته".