Q 4: How should the dead be buried: The Maliki scholars believe that the dead person should be led from the front after putting him on the dust of the Lahd (a crevice on the side of a grave facing the direction faced for Prayer). They also believe it is permissible to lead him from any (Part No. 7; Page No. 298) direction, whether from the front, right or left. On the other hand, the Hanbali scholars believe it impermissible to lead the dead person from any direction other than the right side because that was what the Prophet (peace be upon him) did.Moreover, the Maliki scholars put the dust of the Lahd over the grave after filling it with dust, whereas the Hanbali scholars believe this to be a Bid`ah (innovation in religion).The Maliki scholars also take three handfuls of dust from the front and put it in the grave while reciting certain Ayahs (Qur'anic verses), like Ayat-ul-Kursy (the Qur’anic Verse of Allah’s Chair, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:255), before putting the dust on the dead person. However, the Hanbali scholars believe this to be a Bid`ah.In addition, the Maliki scholars make Du`a' (supplication) for the dead person while the callers are raising their hands. After leaving the grave, they make Du`a' for the dead again while raising their hands. The Hanbali scholars, however, see this as a Bid`ah.On the seventh day, the Maliki scholars hold a gathering for the sake of the dead person to recite the Qur'an and give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) by the dead person's family. They believe this to be obligatory and they specify the seventh day for it, whereas the Hanbali scholars believe this to be a groundless Bid`ah.

A 4: The dead person should be led to his grave from any direction that is easy to lead him from. It is better to lead him from the front of the grave because of the Hadith that is mentioned in this regard. The corpse should be placed in the Lahd on his right side facing the Qiblah (Ka`bah-direction faced in Prayer). The Lahd should then be blocked with bricks or the like, and then the dust should be heaped on it and should be raised above the ground level by (Part No. 7; Page No. 299) one hand span, as is reported in the Sunnah from the Prophet (peace be upon him). In this way, there will be a mark indicating the existence of a grave and thus it will not be treated improperly. Nothing of the Qur'an should be recited at the time of the dead person's burial as this is a Bid`ah, since it is not reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him).It is Mustahab (desirable) to stand by the grave dead after their burial to make Du`a' for them and ask Allah to forgive them and make them firm. This is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is impermissible, however, to hold a gathering after one's death to recite the Qur'an and give Sadaqahs on behalf of the dead person. What is permissible is to make Du`a' for the dead person and give charity on their behalf without holding any gathering or specifying any time for this. For, this is considered a Bid`ah since nothing of the sort is reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is obligatory for the Muslims, in general, and the scholars, in particular, to derive the rulings from the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and not from the Madh-habs (School of Jurisprudence), because Allah (Exalted be He) says: But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). Again, He (Exalted be He) says: (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allâh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), if you believe in Allâh and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. As for common Muslims, they should ask (Part No. 7; Page No. 300) scholars about what is difficult for them to understand, and scholars, in turn, should give them Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) according to the Qur'an and Sunnah, applying the previously mentioned Ayahs and the Hadiths where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah ... The Prophet (peace be upon him) said as well: 'My entire Ummah will enter Paradise except the one who refuses'. Then it was said, 'O Messenger of Allah, who will refuse?' He said, 'Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me is the one who refuses' There are many other Ayahs and Hadiths in this regard.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.