Topic
Janazah fatwa — death, burial & mourning
Questions about death and the janazah: ghusl and kafan of the deceased, the janazah salah, burial and graves, mourning, and esaal-e-thawaab for those who have passed away.
1,444 fatawa from 11 South African Darul Iftas (topics are assigned from each Darul Ifta’s own categories and titles, so the count is approximate). Every fatwa links to the page where its Darul Ifta published it.
By Darul Ifta
Most-asked on this topic
- Can I gift the reward of Qur'an recitation to the deceased (esaal-e-thawaab)?
- What is the sunnah way to visit graves? Is urs permissible?
- How is janaazah salaah performed?
- What is the Islamic ruling on suicide?
- How is the deceased bathed and shrouded?
- Can women attend funerals or visit graves?
- Can burial be delayed, or a coffin be used?
- How long may family members mourn?
- Are tombstones and building on graves permissible?
Death & Janazah fatawa from each Darul Ifta
- Mufti Online23 Sep 2026
Putting a nameplate on a grave to identify it
Is it permissible to put a nameplate on a grave so one can recognise the grave?
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee - AskImam1 Sep 2025
Is it permissible to beautify graves?
السلام عليكم ورحمه الله وبركاته Dear Mufti Saheb, Please guide me regarding what can be done to the grave of my beloved Father Rahimahullah Ta'ala…
Ahmad Patel - Ibn Masood19 Oct 2026
Tilaawat And Zikr Prior To Ghusl For The Deceased
Q1) Please state the Shari’ ruling regarding reciting Quraan for a person who passed away before Ghusl is given, when the person reading for the…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville11 Aug 2026
A Woman In Menses Performing Ghusl On A Mayyit
Is it permissible for a woman in menses to give Ghusl to a Mayyit?
- MUBZ18 Sep 2025
Utilizing the Government Funeral Benefit for Kafn and Burial Expenses
Assalamualaykum Hope you are well. At work we have to have a funeral benefit, is it permissible if my mayyit expenses , ie. Kafn etc may come from…
- Jamiat KZN12 Sep 2026
The Bathing, Funeral Prayer & Burial of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وصحبه وسلم
At a recent gathering, a sister wanted to know if our beloved Prophet was given a funeral prayer upon his death. She said that it was told to her by…
- Camperdown12 Oct 2026
How many saffs must there be for a janaaza?
Assalamualaykum Respected mufti saheb How many saffs must there be for a janaaza? Must there be 3 staffs or an odd amount of saffs? Please advice
Baba Abu Bakr - Amjadi17 Jul 2026
Is it true that if forty Muslims attend a person's Janaazah Salaah, that person is forgiven?
Is it true that if forty Muslims attend a person's Janaazah Salaah, that person is forgiven?
Mufti Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi… - MJC19 Jul 2023
Two persons in one grave
Regarding your question on the permissibility of burying two persons in one grave, with one above the other and a barrier of sand between them,…
Mufti Abdurragmaan Khan - DU Newcastle8 Nov 2018
Laying the Deceased down in the wrong manner position
By mistake, the deceased was placed with the feet on the head side and vice versa. This was realized only after the Janaazah salaah was performed.…
- DU Zakariyya
odd number of Ṣaffs (rows) in the Janāzah prayers
Is it Mustaḥab (preferable) to consider an odd number of Ṣaffs (rows) in the Janāzah prayers? Can a Ṣaff be left incomplete taking this into…
Mufti Raḍāul-Ḥaqq - Mufti Online9 Sep 2026
Making masah on the plaster of the deceased when giving him ghusl
After ghusl was completed, it was discovered that a large plaster was on the buttocks of the deceased. Blood was visible on the plaster. The Aalim…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam4 May 2025
Is it permissble to put flowers on a grave?
Is it permissble to put flowers on a grave? I heard that you can put a green branch Is it true that the prophet (saw) also did this so will it be…
- Ibn Masood26 Aug 2026
Gifting Money To Family After Death
My sister wishes to open an interest-free savings account for her nieces wherein she will deposit money according to her will. She says that the…
Mufti Umar Farooq Rangila - Azaadville8 Jun 2026
The Status Of An Item In An Estate Which The Deceased Purchased But Did Not Complete For
Four brothers purchase a property. While paying off the property, one of the brothers pass away. What percentage of the property will be distributed…
- MUBZ12 Jun 2025
Delaying the Janāzah Ṣalāh & Burial to Take the Body to the House
السلام عليكم After the ghusl of the mayet is complete, is it permissible to take the body to the house before the janazah salaah takes place? Is…
- Jamiat KZN25 Oct 2023
Where should the hands of the deceased be placed after passing away?
Q. I would like to know where should one place the hands of the deceased after passing away. Should it be placed on the side of the body or on the…
Mufti Moosa Salie - Camperdown10 Oct 2026
Dispute Between the Surviving Partner and the Deceased Partner’s Family
Two brothers were partners in business. One passed away. I explained to them that the partnership is over. However the other brother says there is…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - Amjadi10 Oct 2025
The Ruling of Shari'ah on Performing Ghusl After Bathing the Deceased
What does sacred Shari‘ah state regarding this matter: After bathing a deceased person, is it necessary for the one who performed the ghusl to also…
Mufti Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi - MJC12 Jul 2023
The ghusl of a deceased transgender
It is important to clarify that in Islam, an individual’s biological sex remains unchanged regardless of any alterations they make to their body. A…
Mufti Abdurragmaan Khan - DU Newcastle26 Jan 2016
Should the Janaazah salaah be performed for a person who commits suicide?
Is it permissible to perform the Janaazah salaah for a muslim who commits suicide?
- Mufti Online9 Sep 2026
Husband preventing his wife from going to her mother's funeral
Can a husband prevent his wife from going to her mother's funeral? His excuse is that because the janazah is delayed, they cannot attend the funeral…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam20 Apr 2024
Janaza of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
I need to know who had led Prophet Mohammed saw 's janaza namaaz ? as i heard a youtube that our prophet said first Allah will pray janaza namaaz…
Lutfy Alam - Ibn Masood19 Aug 2026
Making Only One Salaam In Janaazah Salaah
Why is only one Salaam made at the end of Janaazah Salaah according to the Hambali and Maaliki Madhaahib?
Mufti Muhammad Isa Ali - Azaadville15 May 2026
The Number Of Plaits To Be Made On A Female Mayyit (Deceased)
After bathing a female deceased, how many plaits/braids will be made? What is the stance of the Ahnaaf in this regard?
- MUBZ22 Jul 2024
Attending the Funeral of a Non-Musim
Can a revert muslim burry or attend a funeral of non Muslim eg family friend,give understanding in answer
- Jamiat KZN28 Oct 2020
Is it permissible to beautify graves?
السلام عليكم ورحمه الله وبركاته Dear Mufti Saheb, Please guide me regarding what can be done to the grave of my beloved Father Rahimahullah Ta’ala…
Ahmad Patel - Camperdown9 Sep 2026
Sadaqah Jāriyah for Masjid Renovations on Behalf of a Deceased Son
My son passed away, i want to give sadaqah jariyah to the masjid for the renovations of the masjid, my question is, soon as i deposit the money into…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - Amjadi17 Apr 2025
Releasing the Hands in Janaazah Salaah: Before or After Salaam?
AMJADI DARUL IFTA SPREADING SCHOLASTIC LIGHT THROUGH SAYYIDI ALA HAZRAT’S SIGHT 165 MOORTON DRIVE, CHATSWORTH In the Janaazah Salaah, should the…
Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi - Mufti Online20 Aug 2026
Ghusl for a deceased who has fake hair and nails
I would like to find out the ruling regarding ghusl for a deceased who has fake hair and nails. Sometimes it takes close to 3 hours to remove all…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam15 Jul 2023
A deceased has debts outstanding - Who is responsible for his debts (if anybody)?
As Salaamu Alaikum A deceased has debts outstanding but apparently has very little or no assets. He has 3 sons 1 daughter and wife. Who is…
Abu ‘Umar Muhammad bin Zayn Patel - Ibn Masood16 Aug 2026
Dua At The Time Of Burial
After the deceased is buried and the grave is filled with soil, one of the Ulama recites the opening and concluding verses of Surah Baqarah.…
Mufti Ahmed Saeed - Azaadville25 Apr 2026
Name Plates At The Qabr (Grave)
What is the ruling with regar to placing name plates at a Qabar?
- MUBZ17 Jun 2024
Wuḍūfor the One Giving Ghusl to the Deceased — Hair Extensions on the Deceased
Asalaam Muftisab Does a person need to be in a state of wudhu when giving Ghusl to the deceased? With braids. 1) Must one take time to unplait the…
- Jamiat KZN22 Feb 2020
Incident of the Sahabi who Couldn’t Recite the Shahadah at Death… (2/2)
In your answer regarding the incident of the Sahabi (‘alqamah) who couldn’t recite the shahadah at the time of death, you provided two references;…
Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar - Camperdown14 Aug 2026
Preferred days for visiting a Graveyard
Assalamualaykum When is it sunnah to visit the graveyard? Please advice
Baba Abu Bakr - Amjadi28 Dec 2024
The Ruling Pertaining To Performing Umrah for Both the Deceased and the Living
AMJADI DARUL IFTA SPREADING SCHOLASTIC LIGHT THROUGH SAYYIDI ALA HAZRAT’S SIGHT 165 MOORTON DRIVE, CHATSWORTH Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa…
Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi - Mufti Online14 Jul 2026
Receiving payment after the death of a family member caused by a road accident
I have a very important question regarding a past incident, and I sincerely request guidance according to the Hanafi school of thought. My sister…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam30 Jan 2023
What can we write on graves?
In many Muslim graveyards, a board is placed on the grave of the deceased at the head side with the personal details of the deceased and the Arabic…
Hasan Ahmed Razzak - Ibn Masood22 Jul 2026
Placing Cotton Wool On The Deceased
While performing Ghusl for a Mayyit, an Aalim commented that I was committing Bid’ah. I had placed cotton wool under the head to keep it aligned, as…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville7 Apr 2026
Lahad (Recessed-Grave) vs Shiqq (Trench-Grave)
Which type of grave is more virtuous, Lahad or Shiqq?
- MUBZ16 Jun 2024
Can a Man Lower His Mother-in-law into Her Grave?
Can a man lower his deceased mother-in-law into her grave?
- Jamiat KZN22 Feb 2020
Incident of the Sahabi who Couldn’t Recite the Shahadah at Death… (1/2)
There is a famous narration of a sahabi (radiyallahu’anhu) who was unable to recite the shahadah at the time of death because he was disobedient to…
- Camperdown10 Jul 2026
How Are the Personal Belongings and Tools of a Deceased Person Distributed Under Islamic Inheritance Law?
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah, Uncle M left behind a wife, two Sons and a daughter. How should we distribute his inheritance? He left many tools…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - Amjadi24 Dec 2024
The Ruling Pertaining To Adorning The Mayyit
RESPECTED MUFTI. Please give an input in regard to the use of surmah on mayyith, the use of itr, and the use of the sandal paste on the parts that…
Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi - Mufti Online12 Jul 2026
Reusing a grave of a family member when there is space available in the graveyard
Is it permissible to reuse a grave of a family member, burying the deceased at 4 feet deep, whereas the original deceased was buried at 6 feet deep?…
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee - AskImam25 Jan 2023
Is it permissible for a widow whose Iddah is finished to send Esale Sawaab on behalf of her husband?
I would like to inquire the following: Is it permissible for a widow whose Iddah is finished to read nafl salah, fast and give Zakat on behalf of…
Hammad Ibn Ismail Jogiat - Ibn Masood23 Jun 2026
Janaazah Salaah After Asr And Fajr
Is a female allowed to perform the Janaazah Salaah after the Asr and Fajr Salaah in the Haramain Shareefain? Considering that Nafl Salaah is not…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville14 Feb 2026
Applying Itr To The Head Of The Mayyit
Will Itr be applied to the head of the Mayyit?
- MUBZ16 Jun 2024
Questioning in The Grave of One Not Buried
How will the questioning of the grave happen to one who wasn’t buried or is buried after some time?
- Jamiat KZN11 Feb 2019
Etiquette of visiting the Graveyard
Salam alikoum My grandma just died two weeks ago We buried her here in Belgium. I noticed that most visitors amongst us dont know what to say…
Hussein Muhammad - Camperdown23 Apr 2026
Burial Procedure & Recitations at the Grave
Assalamu alaykum. Please inform me what is the procedure when a person is being buried and sand is thrown on him, what does the Moulana recite, like…
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek - Amjadi24 Aug 2022
THE RULING OF RAISING THE HANDS IN JANAAZAH SALAAH
1: A Sunni Hanafi scholar, while leading the funeral prayer, forgetfully raises his both hands in the four takbirs, so does the funeral prayer take…
Mohammad Quaiser Ali Razvi Misbahi - Mufti Online12 Apr 2026
Performing janaazah salaah alone behind the congregation
In order for a person's janaazah salaah to be valid, does he have to join the saff, or can he read it individually behind the congregation? If he…
Mufti Zakaria Makada - AskImam28 Nov 2022
Can Janazah Salah be done for someone who was cremated?
Is cremation allowed and if someons cremation has alredy been done do we pray janaazah on him?
Mudassir - Ibn Masood13 Apr 2026
Death Upon Imaan
I’d like to enquire about the authenticity of a statement made by an Aalim who said, “A person who makes Ziyaarat of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi…
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani - Azaadville12 Feb 2026
The Method Of Pouring Camphor Infused Water On The Mayyit
After Ghusl, camphor water is poured over the Mayyit. Is this carried out once or thrice?
- MUBZ15 Jun 2024
How to Lay the Deceased During Ghusl
How should the mayyit be laid during ghusl
- Jamiat KZN29 May 2018
Grave of Prophet Ibrahim and other Prophets Alayhimus Salaam
It is famous that the grave of Prophet Ibrāhīm (peace be upon him) is located in Hebron, which is also known as Al-Khalil, because of this. Is this…
Yusuf Shabbir - Camperdown31 Dec 2025
Deceased Wife’s Burial Expenses
Who is responsible for the Kafan [BURIAL] expenses of the wife? Is it taken from her estate or from her living husband? Is there any ikhtilaaf and…
Rukunuddin Bin Jahangir
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Read-only index of fatawa already published by South African Darul Iftas, each linked to its original. Not a fatwa service — for your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta.