1) Imam standing by the chest of the mayyit in Janazah Salaah &
2) Making the whole body of the mayyit facing the Qiblah while it is placed in the grave
Answers:
As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah
We received your query wherein you asked questions regarding a deceased and Salaatul Janazah.
1) The preferable view according to the Imam Abu Hanifah Rahimahullah is that the Imam will stand adjacent to the (in line with) the chest of the deceased whether the deceased is male or female, when performing the Janazah Salaah. (Halabi Kabir Pg: 506) This view is supported by the following Hadith:
Samurah bin Jundub Radhiallahu Anhu says, I performed Janazah Salaah behind Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam on a women who had passed away in her post natal bleeding (after giving birth) Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam stood adjacent to the chest whilst leading the Salaah. (Bukhari 1:177)
2) It is Sunnah to lay the deceased in the grave in such a way that the body including the face is facing towards the Qiblah. (Hashiyatu Tahtawi pg: 609, Ahsanul Fatawa 4:225)
In support of this view Fuqaha such as Allamah Kasani and Allamah Shurunbulali, Ibnul Humam(Rahimahumullah) mention the following Hadith: when a person from amongst the people of Bani Abdul Mauttalib passed away, Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam instructed Ali Radhiallahu Anhu: “O Ali, turn his face towards the Qiblah and lay his body on the right side”. (Ahsanul Fatawa vol 4:225)
ALLAH TA’AALA KNOWS BEST