Sa'id said: Ismail ibn 'Ayyash narrated to us, from 'Amr ibn Muhajir, that when the son of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz died, he ordered them to dig his grave to the depth of the navel and not to dig it deep, for that which is on the surface of the earth is better than that which is deep within it. Abu al-Khattab mentioned that it is recommended to dig it to the depth of a stature and an arm's reach. This is the opinion of al-Shafi'i, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Dig, widen, and deepen." Narrated by Abu Dawud (5). Also, because Ibn Umar left a will for that to be done in his grave, and because it is more likely that predators will not reach it and more difficult for someone who digs it up. The explicit text from Ahmad is that the recommended depth is up to the chest, because digging to the depth of a stature and an arm's reach is arduous and departs from the norm. As for the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), "Deepen," it does not contain a statement regarding the degree of depth, and it is not authentically established that Ibn Umar left a will (6) for that regarding his own grave; even if it were established according to Abu Abd Allah (Ahmad), he would not go beyond it to anything else. Once this is established, it is recommended to improve it, deepen it, and widen it, based on the report. Zayd ibn Aslam narrated, saying: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stood over a grave and said: "Do such and such, do such and such," then he said: "It is not that I think it will avail him anything, but Allah loves that if a task is performed, it is perfected." Ma'mar said: It reached me that he said: "However, it is more pleasant for the souls of his family." Narrated by Abd al-Razzaq in the Book of Funerals (7).

Section: The Sunnah is to make a lahd (niche) in the grave of the deceased, as was done with the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas said: "Make a lahd for me, and set the mud bricks upright over me, as was done with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)." Narrated by Muslim (8). The meaning of lahd is that when he reaches the floor of the grave, he digs in it on the side that is toward