✔ Ruling on Burying the Deceased at Night
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
لا تدفنوا موتاكم بالليل إلا أن تضطروا إليه
"Do not bury your deceased at night unless you are compelled to do so."
Sahih Ibn Majah: 1235, Kitab al-Janaiz: Chapter on Prohibited Times for Funeral Prayer and Burial
Abu Dawood: 3148
Nasa’i: 4/33
In a narration of Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (ﷺ) rebuked for burying at night unless the funeral prayer had already been offered.
Muslim: 943, Kitab al-Janaiz: Chapter on Beautifying the Shroud of the Deceased
The prohibition of night burial is primarily due to the concern that fewer people may attend the Janazah prayer at night.
Thus, if the Janazah prayer has already been offered during the day, but the burial must take place at night due to a valid excuse, then it is not prohibited.
أن رسول الله أدخل رجلا قبره ليلا…
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) placed a man in his grave at night..."
Hasan: Sahih Ibn Majah: 1234
Ibn Majah: 1520
Bukhari (Mu‘allaq), before Hadith 1340, Kitab al-Janaiz: Chapter on Burial at Night
Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/31, Hadith 11826–11827
Fath al-Bari: 3/569
✔ Imam Shawkani (رحمه الله): These narrations are clear evidence that burial at night is permissible.
Nayl al-Awtar: 3/38
✔ The majority of scholars (Jumhoor) hold the same opinion.
✘ Imam Ibn Hazm (رحمه الله): Burial at night should not be done without necessity.
Al-Muhalla: 5/114–115
✔ Key Point:
Night burial is not absolutely forbidden. It becomes permissible when the Janazah prayer has been performed or there exists a valid necessity. It is, however, better to bury during the day when possible.
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Night Burial in Islam: Permissible with Conditions
It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
لا تدفنوا موتاكم بالليل إلا أن تضطروا إليه
"Do not bury your deceased at night unless you are compelled to do so."
Sahih Ibn Majah: 1235, Kitab al-Janaiz: Chapter on Prohibited Times for Funeral Prayer and Burial Abu Dawood: 3148 Nasa’i: 4/33❖ Rebuke for Night Burial Without Janazah
In a narration of Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (ﷺ) rebuked for burying at night unless the funeral prayer had already been offered.
Muslim: 943, Kitab al-Janaiz: Chapter on Beautifying the Shroud of the Deceased✔ Clarification:
The prohibition of night burial is primarily due to the concern that fewer people may attend the Janazah prayer at night.
Thus, if the Janazah prayer has already been offered during the day, but the burial must take place at night due to a valid excuse, then it is not prohibited.
❖ Supporting Evidences for Permissibility
➊ Hazrat Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) narrates:
أن رسول الله أدخل رجلا قبره ليلا…
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) placed a man in his grave at night..."
Hasan: Sahih Ibn Majah: 1234 Ibn Majah: 1520➋ Hazrat Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) was buried at night.
Bukhari (Mu‘allaq), before Hadith 1340, Kitab al-Janaiz: Chapter on Burial at Night➌ Hazrat Ali (رضي الله عنه) buried Hazrat Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) during the night.
Ibn Abi Shaybah: 3/31, Hadith 11826–11827 Fath al-Bari: 3/569❖ Scholarly Opinions
✔ Imam Shawkani (رحمه الله): These narrations are clear evidence that burial at night is permissible.
Nayl al-Awtar: 3/38✔ The majority of scholars (Jumhoor) hold the same opinion.
✘ Imam Ibn Hazm (رحمه الله): Burial at night should not be done without necessity.
Al-Muhalla: 5/114–115✔ Key Point:
Night burial is not absolutely forbidden. It becomes permissible when the Janazah prayer has been performed or there exists a valid necessity. It is, however, better to bury during the day when possible.
