Amid ongoing debates trailing the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Islamic scholars have dismissed claims that the delay in interring the late leader violated Islamic tradition, insisting the funeral complied with religious standards.
Naija News recalls that Buhari died on Saturday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital, but was laid to rest on Tuesday at his Daura residence in Katsina State with full military honours, including a 21-gun salute.
Following his burial, social media platforms, particularly 𝕏 (formerly Twitter), witnessed a flurry of comments, with many Nigerians questioning why Buhari’s body was not buried immediately after his death in line with Islamic customs.
However, scholars have clarified that Islam encourages swift burial but does not fix a rigid timeframe, especially when special circumstances are involved.
Speaking to the Saturday Punch, a Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ibadan, Afis Oladosu, stated categorically that Buhari’s burial after 24 hours did not contravene Islamic laws.
“The requirement in Islamic law and tradition is for the dead to be buried as soon as possible after death. But it would be wrong for anyone to claim that burying former President Buhari 24 hours after his death violated Islamic law. This is because there were justifiable reasons for the delay,” he explained.
He noted that Buhari’s death outside Nigeria could have necessitated logistical arrangements, including repatriation of the body, which Islam recognises as a valid justification.
He stated, “Islam does not specify an exact number of hours. It only says burial should take place as soon as possible. It’s not unusual to have a few hours or a day’s delay if there are valid reasons.”
Oladosu further warned against misrepresenting the faith’s position on burial.
“Muslims don’t take their dead to the mortuary to keep them for weeks or months before burial. That’s what violates Islamic tradition, delaying burial without valid justification,” he said.
Explaining the spiritual rationale, he added, “In Islam, the soul departs at death and ascends, awaiting the burial of the body it came from. It is only after this that the soul can experience bliss or judgment. That’s why prompt burial is encouraged, not delayed unnecessarily.”
Also weighing in, the Chief Imam of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Prof. Idris Ayinde, echoed similar sentiments, describing Buhari’s case as “understandably exceptional.”
“There were unique circumstances in his case because he didn’t die in Nigeria. Secondly, it was the wish of his people that he should be buried in his hometown, Daura. Ordinarily, it is desirable that a Muslim be buried at the location where he dies. But since he travelled abroad for medical attention, it is not out of place for the body to be returned home,” Ayinde said.
The cleric emphasised that the administrative processes involved in the international repatriation of a corpse, including paperwork, legal clearances, and associated costs, could naturally lead to delays.
“Before the body can be released, there would be paperwork and fees to settle. All these could have contributed to the delay,” he noted.
While stressing Islam’s strong preference for quick burial, Ayinde maintained that such preferences are subject to circumstantial allowances.
He stated, “What we have is an Islamic principle which says you should quickly bury your dead. If he is a sinner, you won’t partake in the sin, and if he is a good person, you won’t delay his reward.
“So once a reputable physician confirms death, burial arrangements should commence without delay. But Buhari’s case, given all the peculiarities, was certainly not out of place.”
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