Postponement of Burial Of Late Ajimobi: How Long Can a Muslim Corpse Last Before Burial?

After the death of former Oyo state governor on Thursday, it was expected that he would be buried within 24 hours according to Islamic rites.

But surpringly, the funeral rites of ex Senator and Governor, and has been postponed by the family.

The postponement was announced by Bolaji Tunji, a spokesperson for the family of the deseased.

According to the Nation Newspaper, Tunji told reporters in his Oluyole, Ibadan residence on Friday morning that the family would soon make an announcement of the burial programme.

He said that the burial would be observed privately so as to be in accordance with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines.

Ajimobi died in a private hospital in Lagos on Thursday at 70 after being diagnosed of COVID-19.

How is funeral conducted in Islam?

Funerals in Islam is called "Janazah" in Arabic. It usually follows strictly specific rites which may be subject to regional interpretation and variation in custom.

In all cases, burial rituals for sharia calls for burial of the body as soon as possible.

It follows a simple ritual involving bathing and shrouding the body, followed by salah (prayer).

In Islam, burial is usually within 24 hours of death. This is done to protect the living from any sanitary issues. But there are exceptions.

In the case of a person killed in battle or when foul play is suspected; it is important to determine the cause of death before burial.

Cremation of corpses is strictly forbidden in Islam.

Although rites of a burial is not constituted in the Qur'an, funerals hould normally take place as soon as possible.

In view of this, is the family of the late Abiola Ajimobi not breaking Islamic rules for burial by not burying him within 24 hours?

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