Question:
What is the discussion of scholars regarding the dimensions of a grave and the ruling of receiving payment to manage a deceased body?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
We will start with the statement of Allah SWT in the Quran:
ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُ فَأَقْبَرَهُ
“Then He causes his death and provides a grave for him.”
Surah Abasa (21)
According to the above verse, Allah SWT commanded us to bury every human who has passed away properly protecting the honour of humans and the prohibition of burning or throwing a deceased body. This is explained by al-Imam Qurtubi in his commentary:
“Allah SWT commanded burial places for humans to cover them as an honour, for if it is left alone, it will decompose and eaten by animals, the verse also states the commandment of burying the deceased and not to be burned after his death.” (See AI-Jami' Li Ahkam al-Quran, 19/219)
The Discussion Regarding the Dimensions of a Grave
Coming back to the above question, lets refer to a hadith of the Prophet PBUH which is as the following:
" احْفِرُوا وَأَوْسِعُوا وَأَحْسِنُوا "
“Dig the grave deep, make it spacious and prepare it well.”
Sunan al-Tirmizi (1713)
The hadith explains the obligation of preparing a grave well by digging it deep and the specific dimensions is stated by Saidina Umar RA:
“Dig it as deep as the chest of a man or the height of a man and this is the best way.” (See Syarah Munyatul musolli 2/622)
The same is stated in Hasyiah al-Bujairimi:
وسن ان يوسع و يعمق قامة وبسطة
“It is sunnah to widen and deepen it up to the height of a standing man holding up his hands.”
In Hasyiah al-Bujairimi, the phrase قامة وبسطة is explained as four and a half arm’s length. While another opinion state it as three and a half arm’s length and the final opinion state it as four and a half arm’s length. (See Hasyiah Al-Bujairimi ala Syarah Manhaj Al-Tullab 1/635)
Furthermore, there is also a condition of preventing the deceased from being eaten by wild animals, covering the smell of the deceased, where these conditions are stated in Syarah Safinatun Naja:
حفرة تكتم رائحة وتحرسه من السباع وأكمله قامة وبسطة ويوضع خده علي التراب ويجب توحيهه الي القبلة
The grave must be sufficient to cover the smell of the deceased and protect it from being eaten by wild animals. The grave’s dimensions of its depth are the length of a man standing holding his hands up, then soil is placed on the deceased cheeks and facing it to the qibla. (See Kashifatu Saja fi Syarah Safinatun Naja 220)
Payment for Managing a Deceased
Managing a deceased is a communal obligation (fardu kifayah). The deceased should be managed by his heir or close family members. Regarding the issue of receiving payment for managing a deceased, in our opinion it is permissible for a Muslim.
In this matter, Jordan’s Dar al-Ifta’ has issued the following fatwa (2225):
غسل الميت من فروض الكفاية، وأولى الناس بذلك هم أولى الناس بالميت، أي ورثته وأقاربه، ويجوز لهم أن يستأجروا من يقوم بهذا الواجب عنهم، ويجوز للمسلم أن يأخذ الأجر على ذلك؛ لأن العبادة التي لا يجوز أخذ الأجر عليها هي فرض العين
“Bathing a deceased is a communal obligation (fardu kifayah), the prioritized person to manage the deceased are his family members, such as the heir and family, it is also permissible for them to pay someone else to manage the deceased and it is permissible for a Muslim to receive the payment for it. The reason is, the only impermissible worship to receive payment for is the individual obligation (fardu ain).”
Here, we also include the opinion of the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’ which also issued a fatwa permitting it, refer fatwa 7502:
تجوز ، والأولى أن يقوم بها متبرع إذا تيسر ذلك
“It is permissible. However, it is prioritized if it is done voluntarily if it is not a burden for him.”
The majority of scholars agreed that it is permissible to receive payment to bath a deceased. It is prioritized if he does not accept any payment according to madhab Hanafi. (Mausuah Fiqhiah 13/24)
Conclusion
From the above discussion and evidences regarding the dimensions of a grave, it can be concluded that there are no specific measurements, but there are some criteria that should be met:
- The depth of the grave must be according to the temperature of the place as to protect it from wild animals.
- The grave must also be sufficient to cover smell of the deceased and protect it.
- The appropriate depth of the grave:
- Up to the height of the chest of standing man
- The height of a standing man
- The height of a standing man holding up his hands and this is prioritized.
Scholars opinion in the depth of the grave should be three and a half arm’s length or four and a half arm’s length and this is the final opinion of scholars. In this matter, the usual dimensions used in our country for a grave is 3X7 feet and this measurement is sufficient to protect the deceased body properly.
Regarding the issue of receiving payment for managing a deceased, it is permissible as long as it is not excessive and it is reasonably priced.
Wallahua’lam.