Who is assigned to bury the deceased?

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

Who is assigned to bury the deceased?

‘Abdullah bin Hamoud al-Furaih


Who is assigned to bury the deceased?

If he bequeathed (someone), then his is given priority over that if the deceased bequeathed a specific person to bury him so the bequeathed is brought forward then his close relatives if they are good at burying. If they are not like that (do not have those qualities) or they do not want to get down into the grave, then anyone from the people can bury him. If it is a woman, then it is not a condition that one of her Mahram (close male relatives) lays her down, but anyone (can bury her) even if they are a non Mahram.
Proof to that: the Hadith of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: “Is there anyone amongst you who did not have Qiraf with his wife last night?" Abu Talha replied in the affirmative. And so Allah's Messenger told him to get down in her grave and he got down in her grave and buried her.”[1]
We mentioned giving priority to the close relatives in burying over others if there no bequeathed because the ones who buried the Prophet (peace be upon him) were his close relatives Abbas, Ali, Al Fadl and Saleh, the Muwalli (freed slave) of the Prophet (peace be upon him), (may Allah be pleased with them). The close relatives are given priority over him and they are closest to his situation.
Then placed on the deceased is Laban: and that is milled mud. If the deceased is placed, the Laban is put over him. He is covered with mud so that sand does not fall on him because of the previous Hadith of Saad (may Allah be pleased with him): “Make a niche for me in the side of the grave and set up bricks over me as was done in case of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him).”[2]
Benefit: it came (in the narrations) the preference to participate in burying the deceased so that the Muslim threw the dust at the grave of the deceased. There are many examples from the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and the tabieen (early generation of Muslim followers; may Allah be pleased with them) so it is Sunnah for a Muslim to participate without crowding or difficulty. The Sunnah is to participate in throwing the dust. As for tying him three (times), there is discrepancy in its authenticity. There is no correct narration while putting the dust. Everything that is narrated is weak.
Ponder oh leaver of this world (may Allah have mercy on me and you): ponder on this moment when I am the closest relative to you and your loved ones can do nothing but throw dust on you. They are righteous but this is the most that they can do. Then they leave you and you are in your pit depending on your deeds…we ask Allah for good deeds and their acceptance.

[1] Narrated by Al Bukhari number (1342). “Qiraf” i.e.: sexual relations

[2] Narrated by Muslim number (966)