The Coffins Section · 67 – The Coffin is Lowered Feet First into the Grave
Abu Ishaq, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
That Haris, may Allah be pleased with him, had instructed Abdullah ibn Zayd to lead the prayer [for the deceased]. So Abdullah led the funeral prayer for him, then lowered him into the grave from its foot, and said, "This is part of the sunnah."
COMMENTARY
It is stated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, and Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, were placed at the head of their graves.
Abu Zinaad, Rabia, and Abu Nadhr narrated from some of our companions that this is the case.
Bayhaqi also says, "This is what is prevalent among the people of Hijaz." The Hanafi school places [the deceased] towards the qibla.
Bara ibn ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
We went out with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to attend the funeral of a person from the Ansar. We reached the grave, but it had not yet been filled in. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) turned towards the qibla and sat down. We sat down with him.