Preparing for Death (Part 8)

Question: During burial, some people step on the grave to level the soil or press it down. What is the ruling on this? Answer: Stepping on the grave, whether to level the soil or for any other reason, is not permissible. The deceased should be buried and covered with soil, without being trodden upon. The Prophet ﷺ said: "It is better for one of you to have a hot coal fall on his skin and burn his clothes than to sit on the grave of a Muslim." This indicates the severe warning against sitting on or stepping on a grave. There is no necessity to level the soil; it is sufficient to place the earth over the deceased and cover it with gravel. And Allāh knows best. --- Question: What is the ruling on plastering a grave and writing the name of the deceased on it? Answer: It is reported in Sahih Muslim from Jabir (may Allāh be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ prohibited plastering the grave, sitting on it, and building upon it. This hadith is a clear evidence of the prohibition of all three actions, as the default ruling of a prohibition in the texts is that it is haram. The Prophet ﷺ combined in this prohibition actions that could lead to exaggeration and actions that could lead to disrespect. Exaggeration is manifested in building or plastering the grave, while disrespect occurs when sitting or treading on it. Therefore, it is not permissible to plaster the grave or to use mortar; only soil should be placed over it. It is also prohibited to sit on the grave, build upon it, or write on it, whether it be the name of the deceased or any Āyāt from the Qur'ān. All of these actions are not prescribed and are prohibited, as the prohibition has been explicitly mentioned. Abu Dawud also reported the prohibition of writing on the grave, which has been authenticated by the scholar Al-Albani. Therefore, writing on the grave, including the name of the deceased or anything else, is not permissible. And Allāh knows best. --- Question: What is the ruling on placing two stones on a man’s grave and one stone on a woman’s grave after burial? Answer: This practice has no basis in Islam. There is no evidence for distinguishing between men and women in this manner—placing two stones for a woman and one for a man. The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions did not engage in this practice. Graves, whether of men or women, should remain level and even. This action is therefore not prescribed, even though it has become customary among many people. As far as I have heard, there is no evidence supporting it, and Allah is the source of help.