Question:
In our locality, when a person dies, they tie the toes of the deceased together, especially joining the big toes and tying them. I don’t know the reason. Please explain.
Answer:
When a person dies, the body may become stiff or lose its natural shape. For this reason, not only Muslims but people from many communities, including Hindus, tie the legs. This is an ancient customary practice and not an Islamic ritual.
If the legs are not tied, they may spread apart due to stiffness after death. Tying both legs together helps maintain the body in a proper and straight form, making it easier to carry the Janazah respectfully. Earlier generations observed this practically and adopted the practice to maintain the body’s form. Various symbolic reasons may be mentioned in different traditions, but it is generally a common human practice.
Muslims also do this only for practical benefit. It is not done as Sunnah, worship, or a religious obligation. It is simply based on practical experience. If something brings a clear benefit, doing it is not wrong.
If the legs are not tied, the body may become difficult to carry. Tying the legs helps keep the body straight and manageable during transportation. Therefore, this is a worldly practice and permissible if it provides benefit. However, it should not be considered a religious act or Sunnah, because Islam has not prescribed it as such. It is done only for practical reasons.
