CORPSES CHAPTER · 41 – NIGHT BURIAL
Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The people saw a light burning in the cemetery. They proceeded towards it and found that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was within a newly dug grave.
He said, “Give me your companion so I may place him [in the grave].” The man whom the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) wished to place in the grave was known for reciting the Quran aloud (making remembrance).
**Note:** *The following is explanatory material not part of the hadith itself, and therefore not translated.*
Among the companions were Abu Bakr, Uthman, Ali, Ibn Mas’ud, and Aisha (may Allah be pleased with them all), who were all buried at night.
Prayer should be performed, the shroud should be well-wrapped, and if the grave is illuminated, burial may take place at night.
Ahmed ibn Hanbal states that there is no objection to burying at night. According to Hanafi scholars, it is preferable to bury the deceased during the day. Night burials are not disliked, but unless necessary, the dead should be buried during the day.