The ruling on delaying the burial of a deceased person to wait for relatives

Question:
All right, let’s take Abu Naif. Go ahead, Abu Naif. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. Peace be upon you. And upon you be peace. I have a question, but I will ask the Shaykh, may Allah keep you safe. Go ahead. All right, turn off the television, Abu Naif. Turn off the television. All right, we will suffice with this, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: What is your opinion regarding one who delays the burial of a deceased person in order for some of his relatives to arrive from distant places, where they wait for a day or two? I ask the Shaykh for an answer?

Answer:
No, the deceased is not to be delayed for this purpose. However, if the delay is for a short time so that his relatives can be present and come to pray over him and attend his funeral, there is nothing wrong with that. The deceased is not to be delayed except for a necessary purpose, such as if there is an autopsy of his body because there is suspicion regarding the cause of his death, or something similar. As for delaying it in order to wait for absentees whose attendance is delayed, this is not to be done. But if they come and pray over his grave, praise be to Allah, and the intended purpose is achieved. Yes.