Question:

What do the scholars and experts of shari’ah say regarding the digging of a grave? How should we dig up the grave?

Answer:

When digging a grave, a large portion of the area should be dug up as a rectangle. In the middle  of this rectangle, another smaller hole should be dug up. This smaller area is where the dead body is placed.

The length of this middle gap should be more than the height of the deceased person. The width should be half of the height of the deceased person. The depth of this gap should be coming up to the chest of the deceased person.

The dead body will be placed in this second hole, facing the direction of Qibla. This smaller hole will be closed by using slates. The remaining larger hole will be filled with earth. From the top, the shape of the grave should be raised at least by a foot, creating a hump.

And Allah ﷻ knows the best

Imam Ahmad Rida Khan رحمة الله تعالى عليه

Translation by Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari Translator of Majestic Quran, www.majesticquran.co.uk