funeral procedure

[muzlim]

salam, i've recently had death in the family and i cant help that think there was alot of inovations that took place

can someone provide details of what steps should be taken when there is a death, from death up to the time when they are burried.as i am confused myself as everyone seems to have there own idea of what should be done

thanks

[Umm]

salam, i've recently had death in the family and i cant help that think there was alot of inovations that took place

can someone provide details of what steps should be taken when there is a death, from death up to the time when they are burried.as i am confused myself as everyone seems to have there own idea of what should be done

thanks

http://askimam.org/fatwa/fatwa.php?a...22d52aba2729e9
When a person dies, what should be done & avoid before his / her burial as you know that there are lots of wrong doings & concepts live amount Asian Muslims??? Clearly explain all such acts which are allowed & forbidden in Islam after death & before burial of one person?? Also, what Islam says about the widow when her husband dies??






Answer
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful


Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh



1) When a person passes away, the arrangements for the ghusl, kafan, and burial should be made immediately. After the ghusl and enshrouding of the deceased, the salat of janazah must be performed. Finally, the burial must take place. All of these expenses will be from the wealth of the deceased person.

It is also important to distribute the wealth of the deceased person after the following steps are taken (with his wealth):

a) The funeral expenses must be taken care of

b) His debts must be paid off

c) If up to 1/3 of his wealth was bequeathed, it must be distributed

d) The remaining wealth will be divided amongst the heirs



For a detailed explanation of the abovementioned steps after a person passes away, please refer to Bahishti Zewar (Heavenly Ornaments), Volume 1, Pages 236-256 (Published by ZamZam Academy) by Hadrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahimahullah).



This great work by Shaykh is highly informative and gives a step-by-step explanation of what should be fulfilled from the time one passes away up to the burial. If these steps are taken, InshaAllah the various innovations which exist today will be avoided.



2) When the husband passes away, the woman immediately begins her iddah period, which in the case of the husband’s death is four lunar months and ten days. After this period ends, she will be free to re-marry elsewhere.



وبعد موت الزوج يلزمها أربعة أشهر وعشر

(Raddul Muhtar)



( قوله وللموت أربعة أشهر وعشر ) أي : عدة المتوفى عنها زوجها بعد نكاح صحيح إذا كانت حرة أربعة أشهر وعشرة أيام لقوله تعالى { والذين يتوفون منكم ويذرون أزواجا يتربصن بأنفسهن أربعة أشهر وعشرا }

(Al-Bahrul Raaiq)



And Allah knows best

Wassalamu Alaikum

Ml. Asif Umar,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah

[ILM_Sika]

Assalaamualykum

Firstly, innah lillah he wa innah ilay he rajeoon, may Allah forgive your family member for their sins and ours, and grant him/her Jannat e Firdous, Ameen

I have given a Ghusal, to my neighbour, and found I learnt more from the practical way of cleaning the deceased, if that is in particular what your asking. If not I have copied and pasted a few things I have found on the net.

Also best thing to do is do your own little research, and any questions you have in particualr is to ask an Imaam, inshaAllah he will give the best possible advice on them.

Death is a very painful and emotional time, yet one that may be filled with hope and mercy. Muslims believe that death is a departure from the life of this world, but not the end of a person's existence. Rather, eternal life is to come, and we pray for God's mercy to be with the departed, in hopes that they may find peace and happiness in the life to come.

Care for the Dying

When a Muslim is near death, those around him or her are called upon to give comfort, and reminders of God's mercy and forgiveness. They may recite verses from the Qur'an, give physical comfort, and encourage the dying one to recite words of remembrance and prayer. It is recommended, if at all possible, for a Muslim's last words to be the declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah."

Upon death, those with the deceased are encouraged to remain calm, pray for the departed, and begin preparations for burial. The eyes of the deceased should be closed, and the body covered temporarily with a clean sheet. It is forbidden for those in mourning to excessively wail, scream, or thrash about. Grief is normal when one has lost a loved one, and it is natural and permitted to cry. When the Prophet Muhammad's own son died, he said: "The eyes shed tears and the heart is grieved, but we will not say anything except which pleases our Lord." One should strive to be patient, and remember that Allah is the One who gives life and takes it away, at a time appointed by Him. It is not for us to question His wisdom.

Muslims strive to bury the deceased as soon as possible after death, avoiding the need for embalming or otherwise disturbing the body of the deceased. An autopsy may be performed, if necessary, but should be done with the utmost respect for the dead.

Washing and Shrouding

In preparation for burial, the family or other members of the community will wash and shroud the body. (If the deceased was killed as a martyr, this step is not performed; martyrs are buried in the clothes they died in.) The deceased will be washed respectfully, with clean and scented water, in a manner similar to how Muslims make ablutions for prayer. The body will then be wrapped in sheets of clean, white cloth (called the kafan).

Funeral Prayers

The deceased is then transported to the site of the funeral prayers (salat-l-janazah). These prayers are commonly held outdoors, in a courtyard or public square, not inside the mosque. The community gathers, and the imam (prayer leader) stands in front of the deceased, facing away from the worshippers. The funeral prayer is similar in structure to the five daily prayers, with a few variations. (For example, there is no bowing or prostration, and the entire prayer is said silently but for a few words.)

Burial

The deceased is then taken to the cemetery for burial (al-dafin). While all members of the community attend the funeral prayers, only the men of the community accompany the body to the gravesite. It is preferred for a Muslim to be buried where he or she died, and not be transported to another location or country (which may cause delays or require embalming the body). If available, a cemetery (or section of one) set aside for Muslims is preferred. The deceased is laid in the grave (without a coffin if permitted by local law) on his or her right side, facing Mecca. At the gravesite, it is discouraged for people to erect tombstones, elaborate markers, or put flowers or other momentos. Rather, one should humbly remember Allah and His mercy, and pray for the deceased.

Mourning

Loved ones and relatives are to observe a 3-day mourning period. Mourning is observed in Islam by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry. Widows observe an extended mourning period (iddah), 4 months and 10 days long, in accordance with the Qur'an 2:234. During this time, she is not to remarry, move from her home, or wear decorative clothing or jewelry.

When one dies, everything in this earthly life is left behind, and there are no more opportunities to perform acts of righteousness and faith. The Prophet Muhammad once said that there are three things, however, which may continue to benefit a person after death: charity given during life which continues to help others, knowledge from which people continue to benefit, and a righteous child who prays for him or her.

More Information

A complete discussion of death and burial rites in Islam is given in the Authentic, Step-by-Step, Illustrated Janazah Guide by brother Mohamed Siala, published by IANA. This guide discusses all aspects of a proper Islamic burial: what to do when a Muslim dies, details of how to wash and shroud the deceased, how to perform the funeral prayers and the burial. This guide also dispels many myths and cultural traditions that are not based in Islam.

May Allah have mercy upon us all. From Him we come, and to Him we all return.

[muzlim]

Assalaamualykum

Firstly, innah lillah he wa innah ilay he rajeoon, may Allah forgive your family member for their sins and ours, and grant him/her Jannat e Firdous, Ameen

I have given a Ghusal, to my neighbour, and found I learnt more from the practical way of cleaning the deceased, if that is in particular what your asking. If not I have copied and pasted a few things I have found on the net.

Also best thing to do is do your own little research, and any questions you have in particualr is to ask an Imaam, inshaAllah he will give the best possible advice on them.

Death is a very painful and emotional time, yet one that may be filled with hope and mercy. Muslims believe that death is a departure from the life of this world, but not the end of a person's existence. Rather, eternal life is to come, and we pray for God's mercy to be with the departed, in hopes that they may find peace and happiness in the life to come.

Care for the Dying

When a Muslim is near death, those around him or her are called upon to give comfort, and reminders of God's mercy and forgiveness. They may recite verses from the Qur'an, give physical comfort, and encourage the dying one to recite words of remembrance and prayer. It is recommended, if at all possible, for a Muslim's last words to be the declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah."

Upon death, those with the deceased are encouraged to remain calm, pray for the departed, and begin preparations for burial. The eyes of the deceased should be closed, and the body covered temporarily with a clean sheet. It is forbidden for those in mourning to excessively wail, scream, or thrash about. Grief is normal when one has lost a loved one, and it is natural and permitted to cry. When the Prophet Muhammad's own son died, he said: "The eyes shed tears and the heart is grieved, but we will not say anything except which pleases our Lord." One should strive to be patient, and remember that Allah is the One who gives life and takes it away, at a time appointed by Him. It is not for us to question His wisdom.

Muslims strive to bury the deceased as soon as possible after death, avoiding the need for embalming or otherwise disturbing the body of the deceased. An autopsy may be performed, if necessary, but should be done with the utmost respect for the dead.

Washing and Shrouding

In preparation for burial, the family or other members of the community will wash and shroud the body. (If the deceased was killed as a martyr, this step is not performed; martyrs are buried in the clothes they died in.) The deceased will be washed respectfully, with clean and scented water, in a manner similar to how Muslims make ablutions for prayer. The body will then be wrapped in sheets of clean, white cloth (called the kafan).

Funeral Prayers

The deceased is then transported to the site of the funeral prayers (salat-l-janazah). These prayers are commonly held outdoors, in a courtyard or public square, not inside the mosque. The community gathers, and the imam (prayer leader) stands in front of the deceased, facing away from the worshippers. The funeral prayer is similar in structure to the five daily prayers, with a few variations. (For example, there is no bowing or prostration, and the entire prayer is said silently but for a few words.)

Burial

The deceased is then taken to the cemetery for burial (al-dafin). While all members of the community attend the funeral prayers, only the men of the community accompany the body to the gravesite. It is preferred for a Muslim to be buried where he or she died, and not be transported to another location or country (which may cause delays or require embalming the body). If available, a cemetery (or section of one) set aside for Muslims is preferred. The deceased is laid in the grave (without a coffin if permitted by local law) on his or her right side, facing Mecca. At the gravesite, it is discouraged for people to erect tombstones, elaborate markers, or put flowers or other momentos. Rather, one should humbly remember Allah and His mercy, and pray for the deceased.

Mourning

Loved ones and relatives are to observe a 3-day mourning period. Mourning is observed in Islam by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry. Widows observe an extended mourning period (iddah), 4 months and 10 days long, in accordance with the Qur'an 2:234. During this time, she is not to remarry, move from her home, or wear decorative clothing or jewelry.

When one dies, everything in this earthly life is left behind, and there are no more opportunities to perform acts of righteousness and faith. The Prophet Muhammad once said that there are three things, however, which may continue to benefit a person after death: charity given during life which continues to help others, knowledge from which people continue to benefit, and a righteous child who prays for him or her.

More Information

A complete discussion of death and burial rites in Islam is given in the Authentic, Step-by-Step, Illustrated Janazah Guide by brother Mohamed Siala, published by IANA. This guide discusses all aspects of a proper Islamic burial: what to do when a Muslim dies, details of how to wash and shroud the deceased, how to perform the funeral prayers and the burial. This guide also dispels many myths and cultural traditions that are not based in Islam.

May Allah have mercy upon us all. From Him we come, and to Him we all return.

thanks for the details response, few thing i would like to clear up and check if these are inovations?

1- people come together and read quran, they try and complete the quran, its called a quran khutam

2- on the third day or tenth day they do something calld Quls, which from i understand they cook food and read some quran on it and distribute it?

3- people bring seeds of dates and use them as counters?

4 - people also say once person is dead when you touch the body they feel the pain and thats why they should be buried stright away?

5- decorating the grave with flowers? from i understood there should not be anything put on the grave not even a tombstone?

[ILM_Sika]

thanks for the details response, few thing i would like to clear up and check if these are inovations?

1- people come together and read quran, they try and complete the quran, its called a quran khutam

2- on the third day or tenth day they do something calld Quls, which from i understand they cook food and read some quran on it and distribute it?

3- people bring seeds of dates and use them as counters?

4 - people also say once person is dead when you touch the body they feel the pain and thats why they should be buried stright away?

5- decorating the grave with flowers? from i understood there should not be anything put on the grave not even a tombstone?

Assalaamualykum

Well Ukthi, I have seen people do trying to complete the Quran, reading of the date seeds, but as for the rest, I can not say I witnessed them, but have heard people doing these.

As far as I am aware, the body does feel the pain, so best to very careful as possible when handling them. Apparently they can hear also, something about footsteps, but I am not sure where the Hadith is for that, somewhere in Bukari.

In a Hadith (that I can not find), Muhammad pbuh, said to bury the deceased as quickly as possible, as to either rid him of this world (get peace away from this world), or rid the world from him (as He was a trouble causer, so people will be relieved of his departure) May Allah forgive me if I have made mistakes in quoting this Hadith, as I do not want to be counted amongst the liars, Ameen

Here are a few useful Hadiths I just pasted here, regarding some of the factors you have asked. But as far as I am concerned, making food for people when they come to complete the Quran is not Sunnah as far as my limited knowledge goes. I do however see that if relatives or people come from a far then it would be good for them to get fed and what not, bearing in mind, they are coming to visit the family in such hard times, so they should be considerate and sort their own needs out, as it will be difficult for the family to organise this. But if there are family and friends near by that are willing to help out then that should be welcomed, Allah knows best.

I tend to read Surah Yaseen for someone who passes away, and like for example my close relatives that pass away I regularly read 3 surah Fathiha's for them (which is equivalnt to 1 Quran) so I have heard, but like I admit my knowledge is weak and very limited, inshaAllah we try to better ourselves and follow the way Muhammad s.a.w has taught us

Always make sure what you are doing is upon the guidelines of the Quran and Sunnah, and strive to please Allah, for He knows what our intentions are and may Allah make them pure and true to Him, Ameen


Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz)
Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 23 :: Hadith 369
Narrated Muhammad bin Sirin:

One of the sons of Um 'Atiyya died, and when it was the third day she asked for a yellow perfume and put it over her body, and said, "We were forbidden to mourn for more than three days except for our husbands."

Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz)
Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 23 :: Hadith 400
Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri :

Allah's Apostle said, When the funeral is ready and the men carry it on their shoulders, if the deceased was righteous it will say, 'Present me (hurriedly),' and if he was not righteous, it will say, 'Woe to it (me)! Where are they taking it (me)?' Its voice is heard by everything except man and if he heard it he would fall unconscious."

Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz)
Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 23 :: Hadith 422
Narrated Anas:

The Prophet said, "When a human being is laid in his grave and his companions return and he even hears their foot steps, two angels come to him and make him sit and ask him: What did you use to say about this man, Muhammad ? He will say: I testify that he is Allah's slave and His Apostle. Then it will be said to him, 'Look at your place in the Hell-Fire. Allah has given you a place in Paradise instead of it.' " The Prophet added, "The dead person will see both his places. But a non-believer or a hypocrite will say to the angels, 'I do not know, but I used to say what the people used to say! It will be said to him, 'Neither did you know nor did you take the guidance (by reciting the Quran).' Then he will be hit with an iron hammer between his two ears, and he will cry and that cry will be heard by whatever approaches him except human beings and jinns."


Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz)
Bukhari :: Book 2 :: Volume 23 :: Hadith 448
Narrated Anas bin Malik, :

A funeral procession passed and the people praised the deceased. The Prophet said, "It has been affirmed to him." Then another funeral procession passed and the people spoke badly of the deceased. The Prophet said, "It has been affirmed to him". 'Umar bin Al-Khattab asked (Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) ), "What has been affirmed?" He replied, "You praised this, so Paradise has been affirmed to him; and you spoke badly of this, so Hell has been affirmed to him. You people are Allah's witnesses on earth."


May Allah s.w.t receive us all when HE is most happy with us and forgive our short comings, many much better Muslim soldiers have walked on this earth before us, we are minor or less compared to them Ameen