Question:
Answer:
1. It will only be permissible for the husband to go into the grave to bury his wife if her Mahaarim are not present or are unable to do so. Some Fuqahaa even allow the husband to give his wife a bath if need be.
2. After burying her in a normal way i.e. giving her a bath, Kafan and Salaatul Janaazah, extra Qur’an should be read for her as Eesauluth Thawaab. Extra Du’aa should be made for her, especially in this case.
3. The husband has more rights in the wife’s funeral as the responsibility is on him to see to the funeral arrangements.
4. If all the precautions were not adhered to then maybe by South African law he will be held responsible, i.e. if the gun wasn’t in a safe etc. however most wives know there husbands safe code and are permitted to use the gun in an emergency. The actual killing lies in the hands of the person killing themselves. It won’t be the responsibility of the husband if the wife takes the gun and shoots herself. If he was able to stop her but didn’t, then he might share some responsibility in her death i.e. he maybe questioned as to why he didn’t stop her from killing herself despite having the ability to do so.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Shaakir bin Moulana Yaseen Rahim
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
16 August 2006
21 Rajab 1427