Is Side Grave (Laḥd) Superior to Straight Grave in Islam?

❀ Rulings on Laḥd (Side Grave) and Shaqq (Straight Grave) in Islam ❀
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori

❖ Overview​

Although there is no harm in constructing a straight grave (shaqq), the side grave (laḥd) is superior and more virtuous, based on authentic narrations and the practice of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions.

✿ Definitions​

◈ Shaqq (شق) – Straight Grave​

The word ḍarḥ means to split open, and in this context, it refers to digging a straight grave. It is derived from the root ḍaraḥa yafraḥu (measure: manʿ). A shaqq grave is also called ḍarīḥ.
References:
— Al-Munjid, p. 496
— Nayl al-Awṭār, 3/27

◈ Laḥd (لحد) – Side Grave​

The word laḥd refers to a side hollow dug in the grave toward the Qiblah side, where the deceased is placed. It comes from the root laḥada yalḥadu (measure: manʿ).
References:
— Al-Munjid, p. 782


Imām al-Bukhārī states:
A laḥd grave is so named because it is dug at an angle or side, and anything deviated from its path is called mulḥid. From this also comes multaḥadan – a place of refuge.
Whereas a straight grave is referred to as ḍarīḥ.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, before Ḥadīth 1347, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, Bāb Man Yuqaddam fī al-Laḥd)

✿ Practice at the Time of the Prophet ﷺ​

① Laḥd Used for the Prophet ﷺ​

Narrated from Anas رضي الله عنه:


“There was a man in Madinah who used to dig side graves (laḥd), and another who used to dig straight graves (shaqq). The people said, ‘We will seek guidance through istikhārah and send both of them a message; whoever arrives first, we’ll let him proceed.’ So, the one who dug laḥd graves arrived first:”


"Thus, the Prophet ﷺ was buried in a laḥd grave."


References:
✔ Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah: 1264
✔ Ibn Mājah: 1557
✔ Musnad Aḥmad: 3/139
✔ Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd
✔ Miṣbāḥ al-Zujājah: 1/507
✔ Declared ṣaḥīḥ by Ḥāfiẓ al-Būṣīrī


Explanation:
There were diggers for both types of graves in Madinah, and the Prophet ﷺ did not prohibit either, proving that both forms are permissible. However, laḥd is preferable, based on stronger evidence.

✿ Evidences for Laḥd Being Superior​

① Prophetic Saying:​

Narrated from Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:


"Laḥd (side grave) is for us, and shaqq (straight grave) is for others."


References:
✔ Ṣaḥīḥ Abū Dāwūd: 1261–1262
✔ Abū Dāwūd: 3208
✔ Al-Tirmidhī: 1045
✔ Al-Nasāʾī: 4/80
✔ Ibn Mājah: 1554

② The Prophet’s ﷺ Own Grave Was a Laḥd​

As shown above in the narration of Anas رضي الله عنه.

③ Practice of the Companions​

Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ رضي الله عنه said:


“Construct a laḥd grave for me and place unbaked bricks over me, just as was done for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”


References:
✔ Musnad Aḥmad: 1/149
✔ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 966 (Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, Bāb fī al-Laḥd wa Naṣb al-Laban ʿala al-Mayyet*)
✔ Al-Nasāʾī: 4/80
✔ Ibn Mājah: 1556

✿ Scholarly Commentary​

✔ Imām al-Nawawī:
“There is ijmāʿ (consensus) among scholars on the permissibility of both laḥd and shaqq.”
(Sharḥ Muslim, 4/39)


✔ Imām al-Shawkānī:
“These narrations prove that laḥd is superior to shaqq.”
(Nayl al-Awṭār, 3/27)


✔ Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله:
“Laḥd is afdhal (more virtuous).”
(Aḥkām al-Janāʾiz, p. 182)

❖ Conclusion:​

Both laḥd and shaqq are permissible forms of grave construction.
However, laḥd (side grave) is superior, more virtuous, and the method used for the burial of the Prophet ﷺ.
This preference is supported by authentic ḥadīths, the actions of the Companions, and the consensus of scholars.


وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ