INNOVATIONS | Funerals |

Covering the body of the deceased (coffin) with a cloth upon which is written Aayatul-Kursee or other verses from the Noble Qur.aan

Question: In some places, when the people carry the deceased to the prayer and then from there to the graveyard, they cover the body (coffin) with a cloth upon which is written Aayatul-Kursee or other different verses from the Noble Qur.aan. Does this act have any basis in the Sharee'ah?

Response: There is no basis for this act in the Sharee'ah, i.e. there is no basis for covering the body (coffin) with a cloth upon which are written verses from the Qur.aan. Rather, in reality, it is in contempt with the Speech of Allaah ('Azza wa Jall) by placing a cover over the deceased as it has no benefit for the deceased at all. So, based upon this, it is obligatory to avoid this (for a number of reasons):

Firstly: Because this is not from the act of the Pious Predecessors;

Secondly: Because there occurs therein contempt of the Noble Qur.aan;

Thirdly: Because in this there is a wrong belief that this (act) will benefit the deceased (while in actual fact) it will not benefit him.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen

al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 303;

Fataawa at-Ta'ziyyah - Page 22

...

Published: 13 May 2000