Following the death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Islamic scholars have stepped forward to clarify that the timing of his burial does not breach Islamic funeral customs.
Buhari, who passed away on July 13, 2025, in the United Kingdom, was laid to rest the next day in Daura, Katsina State. While the quick turnaround sparked debate online, religious experts say the timing was well within the bounds of Islamic expectations.
One Islamic scholar emphasised that immediate burial is preferred in Islam but not always practical, especially when a death occurs outside one’s home country. He explained that transporting a body across borders naturally involves delays due to legal and logistical requirements.
“In such situations, Islam provides room for flexibility,” he noted, adding that what matters most is the intention and effort to avoid unnecessary postponement.
The clarification comes amid ongoing online commentary questioning whether the 24-hour gap between Buhari’s death and burial was appropriate under Islamic tradition.
