What is the origin of the saying, "Honoring the dead is burying them," in the religion, and what are the times when burying the dead is disliked (makrooh)?
This text was not narrated as a Marfu‘ Hadith (directly attributed) to the Prophet, peace be upon him, but rather it was reported by Ibn Abi Al-Dunya. Its meaning is sound, which is the desirability of expediting the burial of the deceased. Imam Ahmad narrated from Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "Three things, O Ali, do not delay them: the prayer when its time comes, the funeral when it is present, and the single woman when a suitable match is found." The times when it is forbidden to bury the dead are three: when the sun rises until it has risen high, when the sun is at its zenith until it declines, and when the sun inclines towards setting until it has set.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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