What is the ruling regarding the burial of a deceased person whose body is in a ship at sea?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
If a person dies on a ship at sea, the body is to be kept waiting for a day or two if there is hope of finding a burial place, provided corruption of the body is not feared. If no burial place is found, the body must be washed, shrouded, treated with camphor (hanut), prayed over, weighted down with something heavy, and then thrown into the sea. This view is held by Ahmad, 'Ata, and Al-Hasan. Al-Hasan stated the body should be placed in a basket before being cast into the sea. The evidence for this method is achieving the intended concealment (satr) through burial in the water, which is preferred over alternative methods.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i opined that the body should be tied between two planks so the sea might carry it to shore for burial by others. If cast into the sea, those performing the act commit no sin. However, this is considered secondary because leaving the body between planks risks exposure, potential nakedness on the shore, or falling into the hands of non-believers, making immediate sinking preferable.