✦ Written by: ʿImrān Ayyūb Lāhorī
Islam encourages dignity in burial, including the use of a respectable shroud, but discourages extravagance and wastefulness, especially in matters related to death.
Ḥadīth of Abū Qatādah رضي الله عنه:
«إذا ولى أحدكم أخاه فليحسن كفنه»
“When one of you undertakes responsibility for his brother (in burial), let him shroud him well.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah 1202, Aḥkām al-Janāʾiz p. 58, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ 844, al-Tirmidhī 995, Ibn Mājah 1474]
✔ This indicates that using a clean and decent kafan is recommended, according to one’s capacity.
Ḥadīth of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه:
«لا تغالوا في الكفن، فإنه يُسلب سريعًا»
“Do not be extravagant in shrouds, for it will decay quickly.”
[Ḍaʿīf: Abū Dāwūd 3154, Mishkāt 1639]
Though this specific narration is weak, the principle is supported by authentic texts that prohibit wastefulness.
✔ Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله explained:
Even if the ḥadīth is weak, extravagant kafan is not permissible, as it falls under wasting wealth, which is explicitly forbidden in ṣaḥīḥ aḥādīth.
[Aḥkām al-Janāʾiz p. 84]
Ḥadīth of al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah رضي الله عنه:
«إن الله كره لكم ثلاثًا: قيل وقال، وإضاعة المال، وكثرة السؤال»
“Indeed, Allah dislikes for you three things: excessive talk, wasting wealth, and asking too much.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5975, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 593, Musnad Aḥmad 4/246]
✔ Using excessively luxurious cloth for a kafan falls under إضاعة المال (wasting wealth), which is prohibited.
He instructed upon his death:
“Wash this garment (with a saffron stain) and add two more pieces to it to shroud me.”
When ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها expressed concern that the garment was old, he replied:
«إن الحي أحق بالجديد من الميت»
“The living are more deserving of new clothing than the dead.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1387, al-Muwaṭṭaʾ 1/224]
✔ This shows that modesty and simplicity in burial are praiseworthy, and luxury is unnecessary.
It is recommended to use a clean, decent, and appropriate shroud.
Avoid excessive cost or luxury fabrics, as this constitutes wastefulness.
According to Sunnah, dignity and simplicity should both be preserved in burial.
❖ It Is Permissible to Use a Good Shroud According to One’s Means, But Extravagance Must Be Avoided
Islam encourages dignity in burial, including the use of a respectable shroud, but discourages extravagance and wastefulness, especially in matters related to death.
❖ ➊ Excellence in Kafan Is Encouraged Within Limits
Ḥadīth of Abū Qatādah رضي الله عنه:
«إذا ولى أحدكم أخاه فليحسن كفنه»
“When one of you undertakes responsibility for his brother (in burial), let him shroud him well.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah 1202, Aḥkām al-Janāʾiz p. 58, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ 844, al-Tirmidhī 995, Ibn Mājah 1474]
✔ This indicates that using a clean and decent kafan is recommended, according to one’s capacity.
❖ ➋ Avoid Excessively Expensive Shrouds
Ḥadīth of ʿAlī رضي الله عنه:
«لا تغالوا في الكفن، فإنه يُسلب سريعًا»
“Do not be extravagant in shrouds, for it will decay quickly.”
[Ḍaʿīf: Abū Dāwūd 3154, Mishkāt 1639]
Though this specific narration is weak, the principle is supported by authentic texts that prohibit wastefulness.✔ Shaykh al-Albānī رحمه الله explained:
Even if the ḥadīth is weak, extravagant kafan is not permissible, as it falls under wasting wealth, which is explicitly forbidden in ṣaḥīḥ aḥādīth.
[Aḥkām al-Janāʾiz p. 84]
❖ ➌ Clear Prohibition of Wasting Wealth
Ḥadīth of al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah رضي الله عنه:
«إن الله كره لكم ثلاثًا: قيل وقال، وإضاعة المال، وكثرة السؤال»
“Indeed, Allah dislikes for you three things: excessive talk, wasting wealth, and asking too much.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 5975, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 593, Musnad Aḥmad 4/246]
✔ Using excessively luxurious cloth for a kafan falls under إضاعة المال (wasting wealth), which is prohibited.
❖ ➍ Statement of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رضي الله عنه on Simplicity in Kafan
He instructed upon his death:
“Wash this garment (with a saffron stain) and add two more pieces to it to shroud me.”
When ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها expressed concern that the garment was old, he replied:
«إن الحي أحق بالجديد من الميت»
“The living are more deserving of new clothing than the dead.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1387, al-Muwaṭṭaʾ 1/224]
✔ This shows that modesty and simplicity in burial are praiseworthy, and luxury is unnecessary.
✔ Summary of the Ruling:
It is recommended to use a clean, decent, and appropriate shroud. Avoid excessive cost or luxury fabrics, as this constitutes wastefulness. According to Sunnah, dignity and simplicity should both be preserved in burial.
