Delaying in covering the face of the deceased

Q: What is the sharai ruling regarding waiting for the arrival of maiyyat's relatives after performing salatul janazah and placing maiyyat in the qabar with rest of the body covered, and only the face is left open in the qabar for 2,3 hours until the relatives arrive. The face is covered after the relatives coming from distant places view the deceased.

A: This is not a sunnat practice.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)