Shar‘i Ruling on Delaying Burial for the Arrival of Relatives
Question
What is the Shar‘i ruling on delaying the burial of the deceased in order to wait for relatives coming from distant locations?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd:
The Islamic Principle: Hastening Funeral Rites
Islamic Shari‘ah clearly instructs that the preparation, shrouding, and burial of the deceased should be done quickly. The Prophet ﷺ explicitly said:
«أَسْرِعُوا بِالْجِنَازَۃِ فَإِنْ تَکُ صَالِحَۃً فَخَیْرٌ تُقَدِّمُونَہَا إِلَيْهِ، وَإِنْ تَکُ سِوَی ذَلِکَ فَشَرٌّ تَضَعُونَہُ عَنْ رِقَابِکُمْ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Bāb al-Sur‘ah fī al-Janāzah, Ḥadīth 1315;
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Janā’iz, Bāb al-Sur‘ah fī al-Janāzah, Ḥadīth 944)
Meaning:
“Hasten with the funeral. If the deceased was righteous, you are presenting them to good; and if otherwise, you are removing an evil from your necks.”
Ruling on Waiting for Relatives
- It is not permissible to cause unnecessary delay in burial merely to wait for the arrival of some relatives.
- However, if a short delay of a few hours is unavoidable and there is no harm to the body, it may be allowed.
- The best and most virtuous is to complete the funeral and burial without delay.
What About Relatives Who Arrive After Burial?
If a relative arrives after burial:
- They may perform Salat al-Janazah at the grave, as the Prophet ﷺ did.
Example from the Sunnah:
When the Prophet ﷺ missed the funeral prayer of a woman who used to clean the mosque, he said:
«دُلُّونِي عَلٰی قَبْرِهِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, al-Janā’iz, Bāb al-Ṣalāh ʿalā al-Qabr baʿda mā Yudfan, Ḥadīth 1337;
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, al-Janā’iz, Bāb al-Ṣalāh ʿalā al-Qabr, Ḥadīth 956)
Meaning:
“Show me her grave.”
The Companions took him to the grave, and the Prophet ﷺ offered the Janazah prayer there.
