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Muslim Types of Graves
Traditionally, the body is buried in a shaqq or a lahd. The lahd is a niche or hole closest to the qiblah in which the deceased is placed. which is covered with a wall behind the deceased. The shaqq is a human-sized trench built in the floor of a pit The deceased is laid in the hole and material is placed to cover them. resting on the sides of the trench. The material is then covered with soil.
Both graves avoid the face from being in contact with the dirt which covers the grave. The lahd is preferable if the ground is stable and the soil will not collapse, however both of these types of graves are not always possible if the ground is soft. In this case. the deceased may need to be buried in another manner according to Islamic law.
Special Cases
Miscarried foetus
The general principle regarding stillborn if is the foetus was dead in the uterus or was not alive at the time of birth then there is no ghusl or Salatul Janazah. If the foetus is less than four months old then the foetus may not be washed; the foetus should be wrapped in a piece of white cloth and buried. If the foetus is more than four months old then the foetus may be washed, shrouded
Children
Before reaching the age of puberty, a child may be washed by males or females. Shrouding a child for females use a shirt and two winding sheets and for males two or three winding sheets may be used. For those children who reached the age of puberty, they should be dealt with as an adult but then Salatul Janazah be performed.
Martyr
The body of a Martyr should not be washed, nor be shrouded but buried with the same clothes that people found him with. The strongest opinion of Muslim scholars is not to offer Salatul Janazah for martyrs since Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) did not offer it for the martyrs of the battle of Uhud.
Visiting the Grave
The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged Muslims to visit the grave to reduce our worldly love and to remind us of the hereafter. The grave can be visited at any time. and it is not necessary to visit the day after the burial. However, there is special reward for visiting every week on Friday. When visiting the grave. it is recommended to say the following dua, which offers salutation to the deceased and seeks their forgiveness: “Oh Muslims residing here, salaams on you, by the will of Allah we will also be coming to-you. We seek safety for us and you”. (Muslim)
There are a number of ways of making du’a for the deceased in the graveyard:
- When visiting the grave, it is advised to face the grave, away from the Qiblah, and recite Quran and pray for the forgiveness of the dead.
- It is reported that there is special benefit when the visitor recites Surah AL-Ikhlas 11 times and then prays for the dead.
- There is also prescribed benefit for reciting Surah AL-Fatihah, AL-Ikhlas and At-Takathur before praying for the dead.
- It is also reported that reciting Surah Yasin at the graveyard eases the punishment of the grave for the dead, and has immense rewards for the reciter.
Dealing with Grief
Expressing Grief is acceptable in Islam to express grief over a death. Crying at the time of death, at the funeral, and at the burial is an acceptable form of expression. Sydney Islamic Funerals can support you.
