The Book of Friday Prayer, the Two Festivals, the Prayer for Rain, the Eclipse Prayer, and Funerals-10a
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The reciter: Yahya ibn Yahya narrated to us: Abdullah ibn Ja'far al-Mas'uri informed us from Isma'il ibn Muhammad ibn Sa'd from Amir ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas Mishkat al-Masabih 1693
The Shaykh : This also indicates that the niche (lafd) is preferred over the central trench (shiqq), except when there is a need. The meaning of the niche is that a space sufficient for the deceased is dug on the side of the grave facing the qiblah. As for the central trench, it is made in the middle of the grave. The niche is preferred over the central trench, except for a need. A need is, for example, if the ground is sandy. In sandy ground, a hole sufficient for the deceased is dug at the bottom of the grave, and bricks are placed on its sides, then the deceased is placed between the bricks so that the sand does not collapse onto him. Likewise, if the ground is watery, like that around seas, it may become saturated with water, necessitating the creation of a central trench and placing something like plaster or similar in it to prevent water from seeping to the deceased.
The important point is that the niche is preferred unless there is a need. As for the bricks, they are to be placed upright, meaning: they are not placed flat on their backs—i.e., on the back of the brick—because that is not feasible in a niche, since the side facing the qiblah in a niche is vertical, and it is not possible to place bricks on their backs, i.e., on the back of the brick. Rather, they must be placed upright. Also, when bricks are placed upright, they are stronger for bearing the weight than if they were laid flat. For this reason, the Sunnah is that the bricks are placed upright, just as was done for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
Citing his statement "just as was done" is an argument based on those whom we are commanded to follow in their Sunnah, namely the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Because Abu Bakr, Umar, and those who took charge of preparing the Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) for burial, as well as al-Abbas and Ali ibn Abi Talib, are all among those whose Sunnah is to be emulated. Meaning, if someone were to say: How can we use as evidence something that occurred after the death of the Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him)? We say: Yes, we use it as evidence because it is from the actions of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Sa‘d b. Abu Waqqas said during his illness of which he died, “Make a niche for me in the side of the grave, and set up bricks over me as was done with God’s messenger.”
أن سعد بن أبي وقاص قال في مرضه الذي هلك فيه ألحدوا لي لحدا وانصبوا علي اللبن نصباً كما صنع برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلمThe Shaykh : This also indicates that the niche (lafd) is preferred over the central trench (shiqq), except when there is a need. The meaning of the niche is that a space sufficient for the deceased is dug on the side of the grave facing the qiblah. As for the central trench, it is made in the middle of the grave. The niche is preferred over the central trench, except for a need. A need is, for example, if the ground is sandy. In sandy ground, a hole sufficient for the deceased is dug at the bottom of the grave, and bricks are placed on its sides, then the deceased is placed between the bricks so that the sand does not collapse onto him. Likewise, if the ground is watery, like that around seas, it may become saturated with water, necessitating the creation of a central trench and placing something like plaster or similar in it to prevent water from seeping to the deceased.
The important point is that the niche is preferred unless there is a need. As for the bricks, they are to be placed upright, meaning: they are not placed flat on their backs—i.e., on the back of the brick—because that is not feasible in a niche, since the side facing the qiblah in a niche is vertical, and it is not possible to place bricks on their backs, i.e., on the back of the brick. Rather, they must be placed upright. Also, when bricks are placed upright, they are stronger for bearing the weight than if they were laid flat. For this reason, the Sunnah is that the bricks are placed upright, just as was done for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
Citing his statement "just as was done" is an argument based on those whom we are commanded to follow in their Sunnah, namely the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Because Abu Bakr, Umar, and those who took charge of preparing the Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) for burial, as well as al-Abbas and Ali ibn Abi Talib, are all among those whose Sunnah is to be emulated. Meaning, if someone were to say: How can we use as evidence something that occurred after the death of the Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him)? We say: Yes, we use it as evidence because it is from the actions of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.