Fatwa #196853 January 2012Saudi Arabia
Is it permissible to display the face of the deceased for public viewing?
Question
Is it permissible to display the face of the deceased for public viewing?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is permissible to expose the face of a male after salaatul – Janaazah and before the burial process. However, such a practice is discouraged especially when the effects of the Barzagh (eschatological world) become apparent. Such effects should be concealed.[1]
It is not permissible to expose the face of a female after Salaatul – Janaazah.
And Allah knows best.
Ismail Desai
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved
Mufti Ebrahim Desai