Islamic funerals () follow fairly specific rites, though they are subject to regional interpretation and variation in custom. In all cases, however, sharia (Islamic religious law) calls for burial of the body as soon as possible. The deceased is first bathed and shrouded with simple white cloth. Then a funeral prayer, Salat al-jinazah, is recited. Cremation of the body is strictly forbidden in Islam and the body is buried without a casket and the head faces Mecca. Mourning for the deceased is observed for three days except for the widow who mourns for 4 months and 10 days.
Preparing the body
Initial prayer
Upon news of the deceased, it is common that a prayer is recited from the Quran,
Chapter 2, verse 156 - "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we return."
Bathing
The
Cadaver is washed (, bathed) by family members or individuals of the same gender of the deceased. The exact manner, method, style and accessories used for bathing the corpse may vary by locale and
Time position, except that it is to be done with heated water. Bathing the dead body is an essential ritual of the
Sunnah of the Islamic prophet
Muhammad symbolizing physical and spiritual purification.
[Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 344-358 ]
Orthodox practice is to wash the body an odd number of times (at least once) with a cloth covering its (parts of the body that should be hidden according to sharia).
Shrouding
After bathing, the body is wrapped in simple white cloth (known as ). This is done to respect the dignity and privacy of the deceased with the family sometimes present. The specifics of this ritual, including the material, style, and colour of the cloth, may vary between regions. It is for this reason that
have generally preferred to use white cotton cloth to serve as the shroud. Men may use only three pieces of cloth and women five pieces of cloth. Overall, this process is part of the Islamic principle of that all individuals are buried in the same manner and God views all as equal.
[Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 353-358 ]
If a Muslim dies without any family or friends to carry out the bathing and shrouding rituals, elders in the Muslim community arrange for the rites to be completed.
Funeral prayer
After the announcement of death of the deceased persons, the Muslims of the community gather to offer their collective prayers for the forgiveness of the dead. This prayer has been generally termed as the (funeral prayer).
The Janazah prayer is as follows:
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The prayer incorporates four s, the Arabic language name for the phrase , but there is no (bowing) and (prostrating).
[Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 404 ]
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Supplication for the deceased and mankind is recited.
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In extraordinary circumstances, the prayer can be postponed and prayed at a later time as was done in the Battle of Uhud.
[Ghamidi, Various types of the prayer ]
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The Janazah is considered Fard (communal obligation), meaning that only a few people have to do it, but everyone is considered sinful if no one prays it. It is prayed upon the death of an adult Muslim in the community.
[Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 359 ]
Funeral services
Following washing, shrouding and prayer, the body is then taken for burial (). Burial typically occurs as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of death, to honor the deceased and prevent undue delay.
However, customs of the burial may vary depending on one's sect of Islam. Muslims typically try their best to follow hadith regarding proper grave burial procedures.
Some traditions of Islam permit only men to attend funeral services.
[Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 368 ]
The grave should be perpendicular to the direction of the Qibla (i.e. Mecca). Islam doesn't use coffins in burial, instead, stones or wood are placed at the bottom where the body will rest. The body is placed in the grave on its right side facing the Qibla.[; compare "Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return" ()] The grave is kept simple and Islamic tradition doesn't call for a tombstone; a small marker can be placed to identify the grave site.
Mourning
Grief at the death of a loved one and weeping for the dead is normal and acceptable.
[Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 391 ] According to
Sunni Islam, the
mourning period is to be three days except for
widows who have an extended period.
[Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 369–371 ] Islamic mourning is observed by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry in accordance with the Qur'an.
Widows must observe , "period of waiting" which is four months and 10 days long.
Sunni Islam expects expressions of grief to remain dignified, prohibiting loud wailing or mourning in a loud voice, shrieking, beating the chest and cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, breaking objects, scratching faces or speaking phrases such as challenging the power of God (e.g. "If God exists and is just, he would not allow such injustice"). Grieving is allowed as part of the funerary rites to allow one to come to terms with the loss of a person passing away as long as it respects Allah.[Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 375–393 ]
Widows
As stated in the Qur'an,
are to observe a longer mourning period (
iddah) of four
and ten days.
Islamic scholars consider this directive a balance between the mourning of a husband's death and the protection of a widow from cultural or societal censure if she became interested in remarrying after her husband's death, often an economic necessity.
[Islahi (1986), p. 546] This provision also operates to protect the property rights of the unborn, as the duration is enough to ascertain whether a widow is pregnant or not.
[Shehzad Saleem. The Social Directives of Islam: Distinctive Aspects of Ghamidi's Interpretation , Al-Mawrid. March, 2004]
Charity and supplication
Charity (
sadaqah) and supplications (
Dua) are integral to the funeral practices. Acts of charity on behalf of the deceased are believed to benefit the deceased's soul.
See also
-
Islamic view of death
-
Burial at sea in Islam
-
The Majmuna Stone, a 12th-century Islamic marble tombstone
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Wadi-us-Salaam, an Islamic cemetery and the largest cemetery in the world
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Pocong, a ghost shrouded in kafan from Javanese folklore
External links
