❖ Guidelines for Who May Lower a Non-Mahram Woman into the Grave
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
It is narrated from Hazrat Anas (رضي الله عنه):
“We attended the funeral of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting near the grave and I saw tears flowing from his eyes. He asked:
هل فيكم من أحد لم يقارف الليلة؟
‘Is there anyone among you who did not have relations with his wife last night?’
Upon this, Hazrat Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) responded: ‘I am that person.’
The Prophet (ﷺ) then said: ‘Then you go down into the grave.’
Hazrat Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) entered the grave and buried her.”_
Bukhari: 1342, Kitab al-Janaiz: Chapter on Who Should Enter the Grave of a Woman
Ahmad: 3/126
Tirmidhi (Shama'il): 327
✔ Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله):
This Hadith is among the proofs that only men are to perform the burial, even if the deceased is a woman.
Al-Majmu‘: 5/289
✔ Ibn Hazm (رحمه الله):
Held the same view, affirming that men, not women, are responsible for burial duties.
Al-Muhalla: 5/144
When burying a non-mahram woman, the following guidelines should be observed:
① Only men should lower her into the grave.
② Preference should be given to a man who is in a state of greater purity, i.e., has not had marital relations the night before.
③ Modesty and care must be upheld at all times during the burial.
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Who May Lower a Non-Mahram Woman into the Grave?
It is narrated from Hazrat Anas (رضي الله عنه):
“We attended the funeral of the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting near the grave and I saw tears flowing from his eyes. He asked:
هل فيكم من أحد لم يقارف الليلة؟
‘Is there anyone among you who did not have relations with his wife last night?’
Upon this, Hazrat Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) responded: ‘I am that person.’
The Prophet (ﷺ) then said: ‘Then you go down into the grave.’
Hazrat Abu Talhah (رضي الله عنه) entered the grave and buried her.”_
Bukhari: 1342, Kitab al-Janaiz: Chapter on Who Should Enter the Grave of a Woman Ahmad: 3/126 Tirmidhi (Shama'il): 327❖ Scholarly Opinions:
✔ Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله):
This Hadith is among the proofs that only men are to perform the burial, even if the deceased is a woman.
Al-Majmu‘: 5/289✔ Ibn Hazm (رحمه الله):
Held the same view, affirming that men, not women, are responsible for burial duties.
Al-Muhalla: 5/144✔ Key Point:
When burying a non-mahram woman, the following guidelines should be observed:
① Only men should lower her into the grave.
② Preference should be given to a man who is in a state of greater purity, i.e., has not had marital relations the night before.
③ Modesty and care must be upheld at all times during the burial.
