Nasai

1896. Commentary:

➊ What is meant by a good shroud (kafan) is that it should be new cloth, not previously used, white in color, not dyed (so that the distinction between old and new can be made), clean and pure, not dirty or soiled. It should be of moderate price, not appearing inappropriate to the eye, and commonly used by the general public. It should be plain, not decorated. This does not mean that it should be expensive and costly, because in some narrations, there is explicit prohibition against expensive shrouds.

➋ After gathering the aforementioned hadith and all other narrations on this subject, it becomes clear that it is not permissible to bury the deceased at night except in case of necessity and extreme need. The prohibition of burial at night may be due to the assumption that fewer people will participate in the funeral prayer (salat al-janazah), and there may be negligence in the shrouding and burial. However, if the funeral prayer has been performed, then due to an excuse, if burial at night becomes necessary, it is permissible, as narrated from Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam buried a deceased person at night. (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, al-Jana’iz, Hadith: 1057) Also, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned in his mu‘allaqat that Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu was buried at night. (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Jana’iz, before Hadith: 1340) In Musnad Ahmad, it is narrated from Aisha radi Allahu anha that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was buried at night. (Musnad Ahmad: 110, 62/6) In al-Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah, it is narrated regarding Fatimah radi Allahu anha that she was buried at night. (al-Musannaf li-Ibn Abi Shaybah: 31/3) These narrations are clear evidence that, in case of necessity and excuse, burial at night is permissible. And Allah knows best.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:

➊ For the benefit and betterment of the deceased, he should be buried at such a time when more people can participate in his funeral prayer and supplicate for him. Especially during the era of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, you (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to participate in daytime funerals. Therefore, more people would gather for the funeral during the day. However, if more people can gather for the funeral at night, then the funeral prayer can also be performed at night. As is the case with the funeral of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu and many other elders, which was performed at night. But it is not correct to bury at night merely due to the shabbiness and inferiority of the shroud, or without caring for the funeral prayer.

➋ The shroud (kafan) should be prepared from clean, pure, white, and good cloth that fully covers the deceased. However, the meaning of "good" is not "expensive," such that, out of ostentation and seeking fame, an overly costly shroud is prepared. Rather, it should be of the type of clean and good clothing that the deceased would ordinarily wear. The shroud should be of that kind.

Benefits and Issues:
By this is not meant an expensive and costly shroud (kafan).
Rather, it refers to a simple, clean, and complete shroud.
This statement also indicates that providing a shroud to any Muslim brother is a commendable act.

Benefits and Issues: ➊ This hadith shows that a Muslim is the brother of another Muslim.
➋ The meaning of giving a good and fine shroud (kafan) is that the shroud cloth should be clean, pure, and of good quality, and such that it covers the body of the deceased properly.
➌ By “good shroud” it is not meant that it should be expensive; the prohibition of an expensive shroud will be mentioned in the following hadith.