Ishaq Al Fazari (Rahmatullahi alayhi) narrates that he once met a man who used to be involved in the crime of stealing the kafan from the dead bodies after they were buried in their graves. He later repented for his sin and abandoned that evil habit. Nevertheless Ishaq (Rahmatullahi alayhi) asked him: “Tell me what you noticed about the muslims who were lowered in their graves? Did you find their faces in the same direction as they were when buried, i.e. in the direction of the Qiblah?” He replied: “I observed that many of their faces were turned away from the Qiblah!”
Ishaq (Rahmatullahi alayhi) says that I was quite surprised at this, hence I recorded our conversation in a letter and sent it to Imam Awza’ee (Rahmatullahi alayhi) seeking his guidance in this regard. He wrote back to me and commenced his reply by writing “Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon” thrice. Thereafter he explained the reason for this phenomena saying: “Their faces were turned away from the Qiblah as a result of them turning away from the Sunnah.” (Ahwaalul Quboor Libni Rajab rahmatullahi alayhi – pg: 116)
Lesson: The only path of salvation is the path of the Sunnah. Adopting any other path or method must inevitably result in ruin and sorrow.