Why do we throw three handfuls of soil into the grave before filling it?

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) performed the funeral prayer on a deceased (Muslim) and then came to his grave and threw three handfuls of dirt at the direction of his head. (Ibn Majah)
He is reported to have recited these verses when his daughter Sayyidah Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with her) was positioned in her grave. (Musnad Ahmad)
After placing the body into the recess of the grave, when throwing the first handful of sand/soil on the grave one may recite:
مِنۡهَا خَلَقۡنٰكُمۡ
During the second handful recite:
وَفِيۡهَا نُعِيۡدُكُمۡ
During the third handful recite:
وَمِنۡهَا نُخۡرِجُكُمۡ تَارَةً اُخۡرٰى
Therefore we do this as a Sunnah.
Shaykh Haytham Tamim 3rd June 2023
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