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.
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.m
