What is the Sunnah method for preparing a grave?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Funerals
Primary text
The Sunnah requires that the grave be prepared with a *lahd* (a niche dug into the side of the grave, towards the Qibla, for the body). This is based on the practice concerning the grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas mandated, "Dig a *lahd* for me, and place bricks (*labin*) over me, as was done for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)." This practice is narrated by Muslim. If the earth is soft, the *lahd* should be formed using stones.
Supporting text
The *shaqq* (a simple trench dug in the floor of the grave) is disliked. Ahmad disliked the *shaqq* based on the narration from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, "The *lahd* is for us, and the *shaqq* is for others," narrated by Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, and Tirmidhi, though Tirmidhi deemed it *gharib* (strange).