Tirmidhi

Explanation:
1:
That is, it is for the People of the Book.
The intent is that the lahd (side niche) grave is superior, and one opinion is that the meaning of «الَّلحْدُ لَنَا» is «اللحد لِيْ», that is, the lahd (side niche) grave is for me; the plural form is used for veneration. Or the meaning of «الَّلحْدُ لَنَا» is «الَّلحْدُ اِخْتِيَارُنَا», that is, the lahd (side niche) grave is our preferred grave. This does not mean that the box-type (shaqq) grave is not for Muslims, because it is established that in the time of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) there were two grave diggers in Madinah: one who made lahd (side niche) graves and the other who made box-type (shaqq) graves. If the box-type grave had been impermissible, they would have been prohibited from it.

(1) Although this narration is weak according to this chain, due to other supporting evidences, it is considered authentic by some scholars, and this is the correct view. Imam Tirmidhi rahimahullah has explicitly mentioned these supporting evidences in Jami‘ Tirmidhi. See: (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1045)

(2) “For others” is mentioned in the hadith of Jarir bin ‘Abdullah radi Allahu anhu in Musnad Ahmad, and “it is for the People of the Book” (Ahl al-Kitab). (Musnad Ahmad: 4/363) However, this does not mean that the “trench” (shaqq) is not permissible for Muslims, because in some regions, the “niche” (lahd) is not possible at all, and only the trench can be made. It is possible that the intent of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was that the land of Baqi‘ al-Gharqad (Jannat al-Baqi‘) is hard, so a niche can be made; therefore, for us, the niche is better. Otherwise, for the blessed grave of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, both types of people (those who make lahd and those who make shaqq) were summoned. Coincidentally, the Companion who made the lahd arrived first, so by consensus of the Companions, the lahd was made. (Sunan Ibn Majah, al-Jana’iz, Hadith: 1557) It is possible that among the People of the Book, the trench (shaqq) was customary. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam may have advised Muslims to make the niche (lahd) for distinction. (Also see, Fawa’id al-Hadith: 2009, 2010)

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Digging a large grave and then making a niche on the side facing the qiblah inside it is called a lahd (niche).
And if it is made straight down at the bottom level, then it is called a shaqq (trench).
➋ If the ground is firm, making a lahd (niche) is recommended (mustahabb); otherwise, making a shaqq (trench) is also permissible.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ The mentioned narration has been declared weak in chain (sanadan) by our esteemed researcher. However, other scholars consider it authentic (sahih). Imam Nawawi rahimahullah writes regarding this that making a lahd (side niche grave) is recommended (mustahabb), because by the consensus of the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum ajma‘in, a lahd was dug for the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. See: (Sahih Muslim, with the commentary of Nawawi, Book of Funerals, Chapter on the Side Niche and Placing Bricks over the Deceased: 49/48/7, Hadith: 966). Therefore, wherever a lahd (side niche grave) can be made, it is recommended and superior to do so. However, making a shaq (box-type grave) is also permissible, as will be clarified in the coming ahadith. And Allah knows best.

➋ By lahd, i.e., side niche grave, it is meant that first a pit is dug, then on one side of it a space is made for the deceased, and the deceased is placed in it. Shaq means that a large pit is dug, and then in the middle of it a relatively smaller pit is dug for the deceased.

➌ Both types of graves are permissible, because in the time of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, both methods were practiced, as will be evident from the coming hadith.

➍ The statement that shaq (box-type grave) is for others does not mean that it is not permissible for us. Most likely, it means that among non-Muslims, the practice of shaq (box-type grave) is more common, and Muslims mostly make lahd (side niche grave). And Allah knows best.