Question
What is the ruling on writing the Kalima on the shroud (kafan) of the deceased, either on the cloth itself or on the forehead with a finger, turmeric, or any other substance?
Answer
Writing the Kalima or any form of pledge on the shroud or forehead of the deceased is impermissible and a bidʿah (innovation).
- There is no basis in the Qur’ān or Sunnah for this practice.
- None of the Salaf al-Ṣāliḥīn (pious predecessors) endorsed or acted upon it.
- Ahl al-Sunnah reject such innovations because they corrupt the purity of the dīn.
Scholarly Statements
❀ Imām al-Shāṭibī (رحمه الله, d. 790 AH) wrote:
كل من تابع قولا غير ثابت او رجحه بلا دليل فقد خلع ربقة الاسلام من عنقه واتكل على غير الشريعة
“Whoever follows a statement that has no basis, or declares it superior without evidence, has removed the rope of Islam from his neck and relied on something outside the Sharīʿah.”
(al-Iʿtiṣām 2/179)
He further stated:
- After the Prophet ﷺ passed away, the Companions (رضي الله عنهم) never established any form of tabarruk (seeking blessings) with shrouds or similar practices.
- Neither Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, nor ʿAlī (رضي الله عنهم) — the most virtuous of this ummah — engaged in such actions.
- Both the Companions and the Tābiʿīn sufficed with following the Prophet ﷺ strictly in word, deed, and method.
- Thus, their consensus was on abandoning such fabricated practices.
(al-Iʿtiṣām 2/8–9)
Conclusion
- Writing the Kalima on the kafan or forehead of the deceased is a baseless innovation.
- It is contrary to the way of the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, and the righteous generations after them.
- Muslims must avoid this practice and remain content with the authentic Sunnah.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.)
