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Funerals and funeral prayers in Islam ( ar, جنازة, Janazah) follow fairly specific
rite Rite may refer to: * Ritual, an established ceremonious act * Rite of passage, a ceremonious act associated with social transition Religion * Rite (Christianity), a sacred ritual or liturgical tradition in various Christian denominations * Cath ...
s, though they are subject to regional interpretation and variation in custom. In all cases, however, sharia (Islamic
religious law Religious law includes ethical Ethics or moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy that "involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior".''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy'' The field of ethics, ...
) calls for burial of the body as soon as possible, preceded by a simple ritual involving bathing and shrouding the body, followed by (prayer). Burial is usually within 24 hours of death to protect the living from any sanitary issues, except in the case of a person killed in battle or when foul play is suspected; in those cases it is important to determine the cause of death before burial.
Cremation Cremation is a method of final disposition of a dead body through burning. Cremation may serve as a funeral or post-funeral rite and as an alternative to burial. In some countries, including India and Nepal, cremation on an open-air pyre is ...
of the body is strictly forbidden in Islam.


Common Islamic burial rituals

Burial rituals should normally take place as soon as possible and include:Ghamidi (2001
Customs and Behavioral Laws
* Collective bathing of the dead body, except in extraordinary circumstances, as in the battle of Uhud. * Enshrouding the dead body in a white cotton or linen cloth. * Funeral prayer ().Ghamidi
Various types of the prayer
* Burial of the dead body in a grave. * Positioning the deceased so that the head is faced towards
Mecca Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow ...
().


Bathing the body

The
corpse A cadaver or corpse is a dead human body that is used by medical students, physicians and other scientists to study anatomy, identify disease sites, determine causes of death, and provide tissue to repair a defect in a living human being. Stu ...
is washed (, bathed), with the purpose to physically cleanse the deceased. The exact manner, method, style and accessories used for bathing the corpse may vary by locale and temporal position, except that it is to be done with heated water. Bathing the dead body is an essential ritual of the
Sunnah In Islam, , also spelled ( ar, سنة), are the traditions and practices of the Islamic prophet Muhammad that constitute a model for Muslims to follow. The sunnah is what all the Muslims of Muhammad's time evidently saw and followed and passed ...
of the
Islamic prophet Prophets in Islam ( ar, الأنبياء في الإسلام, translit=al-ʾAnbiyāʾ fī al-ʾIslām) are individuals in Islam who are believed to spread God in Islam, God's message on Earth and to serve as models of ideal human behaviour. So ...
Muhammad Muhammad ( ar, مُحَمَّد;  570 – 8 June 632 Common Era, CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Muhammad in Islam, Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet Divine inspiration, di ...
, and therefore a part of the Islamic sharia. This should occur as soon as possible after death, preferably within hours. 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). The "washers" are commonly adult members of the immediate family, who are of the same
gender Gender is the range of characteristics pertaining to femininity and masculinity and differentiating between them. Depending on the context, this may include sex-based social structures (i.e. gender roles) and gender identity. Most cultures u ...
as the deceased. In cases of violent deaths or accidents, where the deceased has suffered
trauma Trauma most often refers to: * Major trauma, in physical medicine, severe physical injury caused by an external source * Psychological trauma, a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event *Traumatic i ...
or
mutilation Mutilation or maiming (from the Latin: ''mutilus'') refers to severe damage to the body that has a ruinous effect on an individual's quality of life. It can also refer to alterations that render something inferior, ugly, dysfunctional, or imper ...
,
morgue A morgue or mortuary (in a hospital or elsewhere) is a place used for the storage of human corpses awaiting identification (ID), removal for autopsy, respectful burial, cremation or other methods of disposal. In modern times, corpses have cus ...
facilities mend the body and wrap it in a shroud to minimise
fluid In physics, a fluid is a liquid, gas, or other material that continuously deforms (''flows'') under an applied shear stress, or external force. They have zero shear modulus, or, in simpler terms, are substances which cannot resist any shear ...
leakage prior to surrendering it to mourners for washing.


Shrouding

The corpse is typically wrapped in a simple plain cloth (the ). 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. However, the
shroud Shroud usually refers to an item, such as a cloth, that covers or protects some other object. The term is most often used in reference to ''burial sheets'', mound shroud, grave clothes, winding-cloths or winding-sheets, such as the famous Shr ...
should be simple and modest. It is for this reason that
Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
s 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. The body may be kept in this state for several hours, allowing well-wishers to pass on their respects and condolences.


Funeral prayer

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: * Like
Eid prayer Eid prayers, also referred to as Salat al-Eid ( ar, صلاة العيد), are holy holiday prayers in the Islamic tradition. The literal translation of the word "Eid" in Arabic is "festival" or "feast" and is a time when Muslims congregate wit ...
, the prayer incorporates an additional (four) s, the
Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...
name for the phrase , but there is no (bowing) and (prostrating). *
Supplication Supplication (also known as petitioning) is a form of prayer, wherein one party humbly or earnestly asks another party to provide something, either for the party who is doing the supplicating (e.g., "Please spare my life.") or on behalf of someon ...
for the deceased and mankind is recited. * In extraordinary circumstances, the prayer can be postponed and prayed at a later time as was done in the Battle of Uhud. * It is required for every Muslim adult male to perform the funeral prayer upon the death of any Muslim, but conventionally and in practice the is performed by few people so it alleviates that obligation for all.


Burial

Following washing, shrouding and prayer, the body is then taken for burial (). The exact manner, customs and style of the
grave A grave is a location where a dead body (typically that of a human, although sometimes that of an animal) is buried or interred after a funeral. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as grave ...
, the burial and so forth may vary by regional custom. The grave should be perpendicular to the direction of the
Qibla The qibla ( ar, قِبْلَة, links=no, lit=direction, translit=qiblah) is the direction towards the Kaaba in the Sacred Mosque in Mecca, which is used by Muslims in various religious contexts, particularly the direction of prayer for the s ...
(i.e. Mecca) so that the body, placed in the grave without a
coffin A coffin is a funerary box used for viewing or keeping a corpse, either for burial or cremation. Sometimes referred to as a casket, any box in which the dead are buried is a coffin, and while a casket was originally regarded as a box for jewel ...
lying on its right side, faces the Qibla. Grave markers should be raised, not more than about above the ground, so that the grave will neither be walked nor sat on. Grave markers are simple, because outwardly lavish displays are discouraged in Islam. Graves are frequently marked only with a simple
wreath A wreath () is an assortment of flowers, leaves, fruits, twigs, or various materials that is constructed to form a circle . In English-speaking countries, wreaths are used typically as household ornaments, most commonly as an Advent and Chri ...
, if at all. However, it is becoming more common for family members to erect grave monuments. In
Middle Eastern The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (European ...
Muslim
cultures Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups.Tyl ...
, women are generally discouraged from participating in the funeral procession. The reason for this is that in pre-Islamic Arabia it was customary for grieving women to wail loudly. Wealthy families often even hired moirologists to attend the funerals of their deceased relative. Wailing at funerals is not permitted according to the
Sahih Bukhari Sahih al-Bukhari ( ar, صحيح البخاري, translit=Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī), group=note is a ''hadith'' collection and a book of '' sunnah'' compiled by the Persian scholar Muḥammad ibn Ismā‘īl al-Bukhārī (810–870) around 846. Al ...
. Women are allowed to attend or be present if they do not wail or cry or hit themselves in grief, especially in an exaggerated excessive manner as in pre-Islamic Arabia. Three fist-sized spheres of hand-packed soil prepared beforehand by the gravediggers are used to prop up the corpse, one under the head, one under the
chin The chin is the forward pointed part of the anterior mandible (List_of_human_anatomical_regions#Regions, mental region) below the lower lip. A fully developed human skull has a chin of between 0.7 cm and 1.1 cm. Evolution The presence of a we ...
and one under the shoulder. The lowering of the corpse and positioning of the soil-balls is done by the next of kin. In the case of a deceased husband, a male brother or brother-in-law usually performs this task. In the case of a deceased wife, the husband undertakes this if physically able to. If the husband is elderly, then the eldest son (or son-in-law) is responsible for lowering, alignment and propping the deceased.
Orthodoxy Orthodoxy (from Greek: ) is adherence to correct or accepted creeds, especially in religion. Orthodoxy within Christianity refers to acceptance of the doctrines defined by various creeds and ecumenical councils in Antiquity, but different Churc ...
expects those present to
symbol A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise very different conc ...
ically pour three handfuls of soil into the grave while reciting a Quranic verse meaning, "We created you from it, and return you into it, and from it we will raise you a second time". More prayers are then said, asking for forgiveness of the deceased, and reminding the dead of their profession of faith. The corpse is then fully buried by the gravediggers, who may stamp or pat down the earth to shape. Commonly, the eldest male will supervise. After the burial, those gathered pay their last respects to the dead by collectively praying for the forgiveness of the dead. This collective prayer is the last formal one for the dead. In some cultures such as those in
Southeast Asia Southeast Asia, also spelled South East Asia and South-East Asia, and also known as Southeastern Asia, South-eastern Asia or SEA, is the geographical United Nations geoscheme for Asia#South-eastern Asia, south-eastern region of Asia, consistin ...
, relatives scatter flowers and pour
rosewater Rose water ( fa, گلاب) is a flavoured water made by steeping rose petals in water. It is the hydrosol portion of the distillate of rose petals, a by-product of the production of rose oil for use in perfume. Rose water is also used to flavour ...
upon the grave before leaving.


Mourning

According to
Sunni Islam Sunni Islam () is the largest branch of Islam, followed by 85–90% of the world's Muslims. Its name comes from the word '' Sunnah'', referring to the tradition of Muhammad. The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims arose from a disagre ...
, loved ones and relatives are to observe a three-day
mourning Mourning is the expression of an experience that is the consequence of an event in life involving loss, causing grief, occurring as a result of someone's death, specifically someone who was loved although loss from death is not exclusively ...
period. Islamic mourning is observed by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry in accordance with the
Qur'an The Quran (, ; Standard Arabic: , Quranic Arabic: , , 'the recitation'), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. It is organized in 114 chapters (pl.: , sing. ...
.
Widow A widow (female) or widower (male) is a person whose spouse has Death, died. Terminology The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed ''widowhood''. An archaic term for a widow is "relict," literally "someone left over". This word ...
s observe an extended mourning period (, "period of waiting"), four months and 10 days long. During that time, the widow is not to remarry or to interact with non- (a man she can marry). This rule is to confirm that the woman is not pregnant with the deceased's child prior to remarrying. However, in case of emergencies such as visiting a doctor because of a health emergency, the widow can interact with non-. Grief at the death of a loved one and weeping for the dead is normal and acceptable. Pre-Islamic practices of wailing were instrumental in illustrating the role that women played in Islam. The act of lamentation came to represent Jahiliya behavior, or contrary to ideal Islamic behavior according to the Prophet Muhammad. Loud grieving was inappropriate and was a viewed as questioning God. Women were portrayed as emotional and unable to control themselves when grieving. However, later Muhammad lost his son, and established the difference between grieving and crying. Outward and loud grief was inappropriate, whereas crying was appropriate. 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 (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.


Directives for widows

The Qur'an prohibits
widow A widow (female) or widower (male) is a person whose spouse has Death, died. Terminology The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed ''widowhood''. An archaic term for a widow is "relict," literally "someone left over". This word ...
s to engage themselves for four
lunar month In lunar calendars, a lunar month is the time between two successive syzygies of the same type: new moons or full moons. The precise definition varies, especially for the beginning of the month. Variations In Shona, Middle Eastern, and Europ ...
s and ten days, after the death of their husbands. According to the Qur'an: 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. 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
'',
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. March, 2004
Husbands are recommended to make a
will Will may refer to: Common meanings * Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death * Will (philosophy), or willpower * Will (sociology) * Will, volition (psychology) * Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will ...
in favor of their wives for the provision of one year's residence and maintenance, except if the wives themselves leave the house or take any other similar step. As stated in Qur'an:


See also

*
Islamic view of death Death in Islam is the termination of worldly life and the beginning of afterlife. Death is seen as the separation of the soul from the body, and its transfer from this world to the afterlife.''Maariful Quran'' by Muhammad Shafi Usmani. English tra ...
* Burial at sea in Islam * The Majmuna Stone, a 12th-century Islamic marble tombstone *
Wadi-us-Salaam Wadi-al-Salaam ( ar, وادي السلام, Wādī al-Salām, lit=Valley of Peace) is an Islamic cemetery, located in the Shia holy city of Najaf, Iraq. It is the largest cemetery in the world. The cemetery covers and contains more than 6 milli ...
, an Islamic cemetery and the largest cemetery in the world


References


Bibliography

* *
Amin Ahsan Islahi Amin Ahsan Islahi ( ur, مولانا امین احسن اصلاحی; 1904 – 15 December 1997), was a Pakistani Muslim scholar best known for his Urdu exegesis of the Quran, ''Tadabbur-i-Quran'' "Pondering on the Quran", which he based o ...
,
Tadabbur-i-Qur'an ''Tadabbur-i-Qur'an'' ( ur, تدبر قرآن) is a exegeses (''tafsir'') of the Qur'an by Amin Ahsan Islahi based on the concept of thematic and structural coherence, which was originally inspired by Allama Hamiduddin Farahi. The tafsir is exte ...
, 2nd ed., vol. 1, (Lahore: Faran Foundation, 1986)


External links


Funeral Wise: Islamic Funeral Customs and Service Rituals

Cases where exhumation are allowed, according to Ja'fari fiqh: Exhuming the body of my dead sister


{{DEFAULTSORT:Islamic Funeral Funerals Islamic jurisprudence Islam and death Sharia