Can you view the face of the deceased in Islam?
The moments following a person’s death are deeply emotional. One of the questions often asked in Muslim communities is whether it is permissible to view the face of the deceased.
It is permissible to uncover the face of the deceased before burial and to kiss them as a final farewell. This is established in the Sunnah, as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, that the Prophet ﷺ kissed the face of ʿUthman ibn Maz’un (may Allah be pleased with him) after his passing.
Evidence from the sunnah
This hadith clearly indicates the permissibility of uncovering the face of the deceased and kissing them. It reflects an expression of mercy and affection.
The jurists across the four schools have affirmed this ruling:
Al-Nawawi, representing the Shafi‘i school, stated that this hadith indicates the permissibility of kissing the deceased and looking at them after death, particularly for those who were close to them.
Ibn Qudamah of the Hanbali school mentioned in Al-Mughni that there is no harm in kissing the deceased, using the action of the Prophet ﷺ as clear evidence.
Al-Kasani of the Hanafi school explained that such an act is permissible as it honours the deceased and does not violate their dignity.
Maliki scholars likewise permit uncovering the face of the deceased for the purpose of farewell and allow kissing, especially by relatives, provided it remains within appropriate limits.
While the practice is permitted, scholars mention a number of important guidelines:
- it should take place before burial
- it must not lead to wailing or prohibited expressions of grief
- it should be done with composure, respect, and mercy
- considerations of modesty between unrelated men and women should be observed, in line with scholarly discussion
Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
Abu Bakr came riding his horse from his dwelling place in As-Sunh. He dismounted and entered the mosque, and did not speak to the people until he entered upon the Prophet ﷺ in his room. He covered him with a cloth and then uncovered his face, and bent over him and kissed him and said:
“May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Prophet of Allah! You have tasted the death which Allah had decreed for you. You will never die again.”
(Buhkhari)
His action of kissing and touching the deceased shows this is not only permissible, but was done out of love, respect, and grief.
In many Middle Eastern cultures, it is common to shroud the body soon after death without displaying the face. In contrast, within the South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) communities, it is customary to allow the family and loved ones to view the face of the deceased before the body is taken for burial. Both practices are observed by Muslims and neither contradicts Islamic principles, as long as they are done respectfully and within the bounds of the Shari’ah.
Shaykh Haytham Tamim 9th June 2026