❖ Ruling on a Non-Mahram Man Carrying and Lowering a Woman’s Deceased Body into the Grave ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, p. 545
Is it permissible for a non-mahram man to:
➊ Carry the funeral bier of a non-mahram deceased woman?
➋ Lower her body into the grave?
Please clarify the Sharʿī ruling in light of the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
(Questioner: Muḥammad ʿImrān, Rāiwind)
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
A detailed narration from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī states:
"هَلْ فِيكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ لَمْ يُقَارِفْ اللَّيْلَةَ؟ فَقَالَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ: أَنَا۔ قَالَ: فَانْزِلْ فِي قَبْرِهَا۔ فَنَزَلَ فِي قَبْرِهَا فَقَبَرَهَا"
“The Prophet ﷺ asked, ‘Is there anyone among you who did not have relations with his wife last night?’ Abū Ṭalḥah said, ‘I did not.’
The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Then you go down into her grave.’
So he went down and buried her.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth: 1342)
This refers to the burial of the Prophet’s ﷺ daughter, where Abū Ṭalḥah (رضي الله عنه)—who was not her maḥram—was instructed to enter the grave and lower her body.
Another narration mentions:
"لَا يَدْخُلُ الْقَبْرَ رَجُلٌ قَارَفَ أَهْلَهُ"
“A man who has had relations with his wife should not enter the grave.”
(Musnad Aḥmad 3/229, Ḥadīth: 3431 — Authentic on the conditions of Muslim)
This implies that spiritual purity and detachment are preferred when engaging in burial duties, especially for women.
✔ Since Abū Ṭalḥah (رضي الله عنه) was not a maḥram, the ḥadīth proves the permissibility of a non-maḥram lowering a deceased woman into the grave, when needed.
✔ Therefore, if lowering into the grave is allowed, then carrying the janāzah (bier) is even more permissible, as it involves no direct contact with the deceased’s body.
✔ No evidence in Qurʾān or Sunnah forbids this when modesty is preserved and the body is properly covered.
◈ The same narration also highlights an additional virtue:
✔ A non-maḥram man may carry and lower the deceased woman into the grave, especially when no suitable maḥram is present or when logistical need arises.
✔ The act is permissible, provided modesty and dignity of the deceased are maintained.
“And our duty is only to convey.”
(Shahādat Magazine, June 2003)
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-Janāʾiz, p. 545
❖ Question:
Is it permissible for a non-mahram man to:
➊ Carry the funeral bier of a non-mahram deceased woman?
➋ Lower her body into the grave?
Please clarify the Sharʿī ruling in light of the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
(Questioner: Muḥammad ʿImrān, Rāiwind)
❖ Response:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
➊ Prophetic Precedent from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
A detailed narration from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī states:
"هَلْ فِيكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ لَمْ يُقَارِفْ اللَّيْلَةَ؟ فَقَالَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ: أَنَا۔ قَالَ: فَانْزِلْ فِي قَبْرِهَا۔ فَنَزَلَ فِي قَبْرِهَا فَقَبَرَهَا"
“The Prophet ﷺ asked, ‘Is there anyone among you who did not have relations with his wife last night?’ Abū Ṭalḥah said, ‘I did not.’
The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Then you go down into her grave.’
So he went down and buried her.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Ḥadīth: 1342)
This refers to the burial of the Prophet’s ﷺ daughter, where Abū Ṭalḥah (رضي الله عنه)—who was not her maḥram—was instructed to enter the grave and lower her body.
➋ Supporting Ḥadīth from Musnad Aḥmad
Another narration mentions:
"لَا يَدْخُلُ الْقَبْرَ رَجُلٌ قَارَفَ أَهْلَهُ"
“A man who has had relations with his wife should not enter the grave.”
(Musnad Aḥmad 3/229, Ḥadīth: 3431 — Authentic on the conditions of Muslim)
This implies that spiritual purity and detachment are preferred when engaging in burial duties, especially for women.
➌ Key Rulings Derived
✔ Since Abū Ṭalḥah (رضي الله عنه) was not a maḥram, the ḥadīth proves the permissibility of a non-maḥram lowering a deceased woman into the grave, when needed.
✔ Therefore, if lowering into the grave is allowed, then carrying the janāzah (bier) is even more permissible, as it involves no direct contact with the deceased’s body.
✔ No evidence in Qurʾān or Sunnah forbids this when modesty is preserved and the body is properly covered.
➍ Additional Guidance
◈ The same narration also highlights an additional virtue:
- It is preferred (afḍal) that the person entering the grave not have engaged in marital relations the night before.
- This is out of respect and spiritual preparation for the sacred duty of burial.
Conclusion
✔ A non-maḥram man may carry and lower the deceased woman into the grave, especially when no suitable maḥram is present or when logistical need arises.
✔ The act is permissible, provided modesty and dignity of the deceased are maintained.
“And our duty is only to convey.”
(Shahādat Magazine, June 2003)
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
