Resolution No.(175)(7/2012) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"The Wife`s Father is Given Priority over Husband in Determining her Place of Burial in Case she Passed away"
Date: 14/7/1433 AH, corresponding to 4/6/2012 AD.
All perfect praise be to Allah. Blessings and peace be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
On the above date, the Board reviewed the following question:
Who should be given priority to receive the dead body of the wife or the husband, take care of the burial process, and accept the condolences, whether their marriage was valid or they were divorced. Should the husband be given the priority, the wife, the children, the husband`s or the wife`s family?
Since death suffices as a lesson, there should be no room for dispute; rather, people should agree on what is best for the deceased as regards his/her burial place and funeral.
In case of dispute, priority should be given to the close paternal relatives of the deceased. If they disagreed about his/ her burial place, then the father is given priority, then the children, then the brothers.
The four jurists have given the wife`s relatives the priority in performing her funeral prayer. In fact, the Hanafite jurists have stated: "The husband enjoys no guardianship over his deceased wife; however, he is obliged to pay for the costs of enshrouding her and all the other costs of her burial." {Rad`d Al-Mohtaar, vol.2/pp.220,206}. This opinion has been adopted by the Jordanian Civil Status Code, 2010 /Article (71).
The Malikites as well as the Shafites gave priority to the husband over his wife`s male Mahrams as regards washing her (Ghusl) and placing her in the grave, because he is allowed to look at parts of her, which others aren`t allowed to look at; therefore, her Mahrams are given priority to take care of her funeral`s affairs, and her husband has more right to handle matters which may involve her indecent exposure.
Accordingly, when there is dispute as regards determining the place of the wife`s burial, priority is given to her father, then her sons over her husband, as stated by Al-Imam Ar-ramli (May Allah bless him): "If there is a dispute as regards the burial place of the husband, who made no bequest in this regard, then priority should be given to his closest paternal relatives in deciding where to bury him. If the deceased was the wife, then her closest paternal relatives should be given priority over her husband as to where she should be buried." {Nihayat Al-Mohtajj}. Moreover, Al-Khateeb Ash-Shirbini stated: "If the father and the mother had disputed over where to bury their deceased son, then the father should have the final say." {Moghni Al-Mohtajj}.
As regards accepting the condolences, we advise both parties to reach an agreement on that for the sake of Allah and the deceased`s. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Grand Mufti of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.
Vice-Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, Prof. Ahmad Helayel
Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member
His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Pro. Mohammad Al-Qhodat/ Member
Dr. Wasif Al-Bakhri
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member
Dr.Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
