reeds, it is acceptable, because al-Sha'bi said: "A bundle (14) of reeds was placed over the lahd of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), for I saw the Muhajirun regarding this as recommended (15)." Al-Khallal said: Abu Abd Allah used to incline toward bricks and prefer them over reeds, then he abandoned that and inclined toward the recommendation of reeds over bricks. As for wood, he disliked it in all cases, but granted a concession for it in cases of necessity if nothing else is found. Most of the narrations from Abu Abd Allah indicate the preference for bricks and placing them before reeds, because of the statement of Sa'd: "Set up the bricks upright over me, as was done for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)." The statement of Sa'd is more appropriate than the statement of al-Sha'bi, for al-Sha'bi did not see it nor was he present; whichever of the two is done, it is good. Hanbal said: I said to Abu Abd Allah: "And if there are no bricks?" He replied: "Reeds, grass, and whatever is possible of that should be set up over him, then soil should be poured upon it."

Section: It is narrated from Ahmad that he attended a funeral, and when soil was being cast upon it, he stood by the grave and cast three handfuls of soil upon it, then returned to his place. He said: "It has come from Ali and it is authentic, that he cast soil on the grave of Ibn Mukaffif." It is narrated from him that he said: "If he does it, it is good, and if he does not do it, there is no harm." The basis for its recommendation is what was narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed over a funeral, then came to the grave of the deceased from the direction of his head and cast three handfuls upon it. Extracted by Ibn Majah (16). And from Amir ibn Rabi'ah, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed over Uthman ibn Maz'un, and said the takbir four times over him, then came to the grave and cast (17) three handfuls upon it while he was standing at his head. Narrated by al-Daraqutni (18). And from Ja'far ibn Muhammad, from his father, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cast three handfuls upon the deceased using both of his hands. Extracted by al-Shafi'i in his Musnad (19). And Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, did it. It is also narrated from Ibn Abbas that when he buried Zayd ibn Thabit, he cast three handfuls into his grave and said: "Thus does knowledge pass away (20)."