Q: Janaa'iz-18: A five year old child was buried in a coffin. Those who buried him did not disclose the direction in which they laid him to rest and it became known only afterwards that his face was not facing towards the Qibla. Is this sinful?

Answer: Purposely placing the deceased in the grave with the face not facing towards the Qibla is a sin Doing so unintentionally will not be regarded as sinful. If it is learnt before closing the grave that the direction is wrong, the body may be turned towards the Qibla even if it means removing the bricks or planks. It is however not permissible and sinful to open up the grave after the sand has been thrown over. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3