Prominent Islamic scholars have addressed rising concerns over the delayed burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, asserting that the interment was in line with Islamic principles despite public criticism.
AFRIPOST reports that Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital and was buried on Tuesday, July 15, in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.
The delay sparked debates on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), with many Nigerians suggesting the late leader should have been buried immediately after his death in keeping with Islamic traditions.
However, experts in Islamic jurisprudence have clarified that while Islam encourages prompt burial, it does not mandate a fixed timeframe, particularly when exceptional circumstances are involved.
Professor Afis Oladosu of the University of Ibadan, a scholar in Arabic and Islamic Studies, explained that the 24-hour delay in Buhari’s burial was justified.
“In Islam, the dead should be buried as soon as possible, but that does not mean any delay automatically breaches Islamic law,” Oladosu said in an interview with Saturday Punch.
“In Buhari’s case, the fact that he died abroad meant arrangements like repatriation had to be made, and that is a valid reason.”
He emphasised that Islam recognises practical challenges such as transportation and legal documentation, especially when death occurs outside the country.
“There is no specific number of hours mentioned in Islam,” he added. “The key thing is not to delay burial without a reason. Buhari’s case had legitimate cause.”
He also advised against distorting Islamic teachings.
“What truly violates Islamic principles is unnecessary delay, keeping the dead in a mortuary for weeks without cause,” he said.
Supporting this view, Professor Idris Ayinde, Chief Imam at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, described Buhari’s burial as understandable under the circumstances.
“He passed away abroad and his family wished for him to be buried in Daura,” Ayinde noted.
“Although Islam prefers burial where death occurs, returning the body home for burial is acceptable.”
Ayinde further pointed out the practical challenges of international corpse transportation, including paperwork and payments, as possible reasons for the delay.
“Such processes take time. That’s why in some cases, burial within 24 hours isn’t feasible,” he said.
Ayinde concluded by reaffirming Islam’s emphasis on quick burials but stressed that Buhari’s case was handled within religious guidelines.