The Description of the Grave
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The eighth question and the twentieth question from Fatwa number ( 5611 )
Q8: What is the side niche (lafd) and the central trench (shiqq) in the grave, and where is each one dug?
A8: The side niche (lafd) in the grave is: digging vertically downward into the hard ground, then the digger slants the digging toward the side facing the qiblah so that the deceased is placed in the side niche facing the qiblah. This is only feasible in hard or compact ground. The central trench (shiqq) is: digging the grave in the ground vertically only, so that the deceased is placed in it vertically, and this is done in soft, non-compact ground such as sandy ground.
Q20: What is the sufficient depth for digging the grave?
A20: Abu Dawud narrated in his Sunan from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said regarding this: and al-Shafi'i and Abu al-Khattab considered it good for the depth to be the height of a person, and the opinion of 'Umar ibn 'Abd al-'Aziz was that it should be dug to the navel, and Ahmad recommended digging it deep to the chest, and these are close in measure. The Sunnah is to dig it deep enough to prevent the escape of the smell and the digging of wild beasts into it.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Q8: What is the side niche (lafd) and the central trench (shiqq) in the grave, and where is each one dug?
A8: The side niche (lafd) in the grave is: digging vertically downward into the hard ground, then the digger slants the digging toward the side facing the qiblah so that the deceased is placed in the side niche facing the qiblah. This is only feasible in hard or compact ground. The central trench (shiqq) is: digging the grave in the ground vertically only, so that the deceased is placed in it vertically, and this is done in soft, non-compact ground such as sandy ground.
Q20: What is the sufficient depth for digging the grave?
A20: Abu Dawud narrated in his Sunan from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said regarding this:
Dig, widen, and deepen.
احفروا وأوسعوا وأعمقواAnd success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.