The Deceased should be buried on his right side facing the Qiblah
Question :
In Egypt with us the people bury the deceased on his back with his right hand on his left over his stomach. However, I found in Saudi Arabia that the people bury the deceased on his right side. I hope for some beneficial answer.
Answer:
What is correct is that the deceased be buried on his right side facing the Qiblah. For verily the Ka'bah is the Qiblah of the people, both the living and the dead. Just as the sleeping person sleeps on his right side, as the Prophet ordered, likewise the deceased is placed on his right side. For verily, sleep and death share in the fact that each of them is demise (i.e., taking off the soul). This is just as Allâh, the Most High said:
"Allah takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those (souls) that do not die (He takes them) during their sleep."
And He said:
"It is He, Who takes your souls by night (when you are asleep), and He has knowledge of all that you have done by day, then he raises (wakes) you up again during it (the day) that a term appointed (your life period) be fulfilled."
Thus, what is legislated in burying the deceased is that he be laid on his right side facing the Qiblah. Perhaps what the questioner saw in his land has occurred as a result of ignorance regarding this matter. For I do not know of anyone of the people of knowledge who says that the deceased is to be placed on his back and his hands placed on his stomach.
Source:
Ash-Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaimin
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 3 Pages 73-74
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