In burial, where should the deceased's head be positioned relative to the grave?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
The recommended position is for the deceased's head to be placed at the legs (foot end) of the grave, and then the body is lowered into the grave lengthwise from that end. This is reported from Ibn Umar, Anas, Abdullah bin Yazid al-Ansari, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Sha'bi, and Al-Shafi'i.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa held that the bier should be placed alongside the grave, on the side facing the Qibla, and then the deceased is entered into the grave transversely. This is supported by a narration from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and a report from Al-Nakha'i suggesting that lowering from the Qibla side was the practice of the people of Medina in early times, and lowering lengthwise was an innovation by them.