Janazah Index
2.1 When a muslim is at the point of death
5.1 For a male
6 SALATUL JANAZAH (THE FUNERAL)
9.1 Miscarried Fetus
14 THE IDDAH (WAITING PERIOD) OF MUSLIM WIDOWS (FEMALES)
1
Introduction
All praise is due to Allah; we praise Allah and seek
Allah’s help and forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Allah, Most High,
from the evils of our own selves. Whomsoever has been guided by Allah,
none can misguide him, and whomsoever is misguided, no one can guide
him except Allah.
And I bear witness that there is no god worthy of being
worshipped except Allah Al Mighty, alone, without partner or associate.
I further bear witness that Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is his true worshipper
and messenger, may Allah the exalted bestow His peace and blessings
upon him.
Allah says in the Quran "O you who believe! Fear
Allah as Allah should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam
" (Quran 3:102).
"O mankind! Be grateful to your lord, Who created
you from a single soul and from it created its mate, and from them both
Allah created many men and women, and fear Allah through whom you demand
your mutual rights and do not cut relations of Kinship. Surely Allah
is ever a watcher over you "(Quran 4:1).
"O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah, and
speak always the truth. Allah will direct you to do good deeds and will
forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His messenger,
he verily has got a great success " (Quran 33:70-71).
Know then that the most truthful book is that of Allah
(The Quran) and that the best guidance is that of the Prophet Muhammad
(P.B.U.H.).
As Muslims, we all must submit to the will and commandments
of Allah. Those commandments are in the Quran, the word of Allah, and
in the Sunnah, the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H),
and whatever his companions said or did of which he did not disapprove.
Allah in the Quran says: " We have explained in
detail in this Quran, for the benefit of Mankind, every kind of similitude
"(Quran 18:54), "And we have sent down to you the Book explaining
all things; a guide, a mercy, and glad tidings" (Quran 16:89).
The Sunnah is the secondary source of Islamic law, it
is the Prophet’s sayings, actions, and what his companions did to which
he showed no objection. Allah in the Quran says that Prophet Muhammad
(P.B.U.H) does not speak from himself, but is inspired by Allah: "Nor
does he say ought of his own desire and wishes; it is just inspiration
sent down to him" (Quran 53: 3-5).
Muslims are ordered in the Quran to follow the Sunnah
of the Prophet (P.B.U.H), this means to obey and practice the commands
of the Prophet.
Allah in the Quran says : " Whatever the Prophet
ordered you to do, you should do, and whatever he forbids you, you should
reject "(Quran 59: 7), " The sayings of the faithful believers
when they are called to Allah ( His Words { the Quran } and His Messenger
) to judge between them is only that they say: " We hear and we
obey," And such are the successful. And whosoever obeys Allah and
His Messenger, fears Allah and keeps his duty (To Him), such ! They
are the successful " (Quran 24: 51-52).
" But no, by your lord, they can have no (Real)
faith, until they make you (Muhammad) a judge in all disputes between
them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions,
but accept them with the fullest conviction " (Quran 4:65).
After the death of the Prophet, his companions gave sharp
attention to preserving the Sunnah of the Prophet. Each one tried to
find out what the Prophet did or said in certain situations, and then
recorded it.
Later many scholars spent their lives investigating those
who transmitted the Sunnah; they compiled the authentic Hadiths. Among
these scholars are Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim; both wrote books that
contain only authentic Hadiths.
The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in many authentic Hadiths
showed us in great detail how and what to say and do in our everyday
lives.
Allah’s last revelation states that Islam is the perfect
religion: "Today I have perfected your religion for you, bestowed
my favor upon you and chosen for you Islam as your religion " (Quran
5:3). Thus it is fitting for us as Muslims to follow the perfect guidance
of Allah and His messenger through the Quran and the Sunnah.
But unfortunately, people listen to this and that, see
the non-Muslim’s ways of doing things and then copy it and it becomes
the norm . The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) predicted this by saying :"
You would copy the same path as was done by those before you inch by
inch and step by step so that if they had entered into the hole of a
Dhab (a desert lizard) you will enter too." They (The Prophet companions)
asked him: " You mean Jews and Christians by your words’ Those
before you’ ?." He said: " Who else (than those two religious
groups " (Bukhari and Muslim).
Some Muslims say : " In our country we do things
this way and that way, so it must be the right way ", others say
: " We think this way is much better than the other way ".
So as long as the tendency remains among the Muslims
in taking blind bride in following their ancestry or tribal heritage
or culture or nationality, and as long as Muslims are hardly bothered
to learn and take their practices from the pure knowledge, the Quran
and the authentic Sunnah, more confusion, and more divisions will continue
to hammer the body of the Muslim Ummah.
The message of Islam covers all aspects of life, commanding
all things that will benefit a person in this life and the hereafter.
This includes caring for this person when he dies by
making dua’ for him, washing and shrouding his body, performing Salatul
Janazah for him (Where people pray and ask Allah to forgive him and
have mercy on him), then putting him in the grave.
The caring extends to his family too, by comforting his
relatives, sharing with them their sorrow, and offering them condolences,
sympathy and support.
Hoping to fill the need for a simplified Janazah guide
to all Muslims, I have followed the method described in the authentic
Hadiths, explanatory step by step notes and several illustrated drawings.
I
have also included an introduction on importance of following the Quran
and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), and an explanation
of scholars’ ruling on issues which should be known by every Muslim.
2
DEATH
This topic is very important, as each and every one of
us will experience it one day and that is : Death.
Almost every day we hear of the death of someone, yet
most people ignore the fact that one day they will die too, they go
on with their life as if nothing has happened feeling that their time
has not yet come for them to die.
Allah says in the Quran: " Everyone shall taste
death. And only on the day of resurrection shall you be paid your wages
in full. And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to paradise,
this person is indeed successful. The life of this world is only the
enjoyment of deception:" (Quran 3:185), " Every soul shall
have the taste of death " (Quran 29:57).
In an authentic Hadith Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said:
" Remember the destroyer of pleasures-death, for not a day passes
upon the grave except it says ‘ I am the house of remoteness; I am the
house of loneliness; I am the house of soil; I am the house of worms’
" (Authentic-Thermithi).
The knowledge of the reality of death helps people understand
it and prepare themselves for its coming.
Death is simply a transition state from one world to
another, as birth is. No one knows when and where he will die or knows
how.
In this respect Allah says in the Quran in Surat (Chapter)
Luqman: " Nor does anyone know what it is that he will earn tomorrow:
Nor does anyone know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is
full knowledge and Allah is acquainted with all things " (Quran
31: 34).
Islam is the only religion that explains death in full
detail, how it happens, and what Muslims should do before, during, and
after the death of a Muslim.
Allah has assigned angels responsible for taking our
souls out of our bodies. In the Quran Allah mentioned the Archangel
name "Angel of Death".
Allah says in the Quran : " Say The Angel of Death
put in charge of you, will (Duly) take your souls, then you shall be
brought back to your Lord " (Quran 32:11).
Death involves agony and hardship as mentioned in an
authentic Hadith : " When Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was dying,
he put his hands in a large cup of water which was close to him and
wipe his face with it, saying : ‘O Allah help me over the hardship and
agony of death ’"( Authentic -Termithi).
For the faithful BELIEVERS Allah says in the Quran: "
Those who have said ‘Our Lord is Allah’, and then have become upright,
the angels will descend upon them saying ‘ Do not fear nor be sad, but
receive good news of the paradise which you have been promised. We are
your protectors in this life and in the hereafter: therein you shall
have all that you desire; therein you shall have all that you ask for
"(Quran 41:30-31).
Allah also says: " When the angels take the lives
of the righteous, the angels say to them : ‘ Salaamun Alikum, enter
paradise, because of the good deeds that you used to do (during your
life) ’ " (Quran 6:32).
For the UNBELIEVERS, Allah says in the Quran: "
If only you could see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved,
striking their faces and their backs, and saying:‘ Taste the punishment
of the fire. That is for what your own hands have put forth ( Of evil
deeds )’ " (Quran 8:50-51).
Allah also says:" If you only could see when the
transgressors are going through the agonies of death, and the angels
stretching forth their hands saying ‘Deliver your souls; this day you
shall be recompensed the torment of degradation because of what you
use to utter against Allah other than the truth, and you used to reject
Allah’s signs with disrespect’ " (Quran 6:93).
The grave is the first station of the stations of the
hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: "When the deceased
is placed in his grave and when his friends depart and leave him, he
hears their footsteps, then two angels will make him sit and ask him:
What did you say about this man (Muhammad (P.B.U.H)) ? The Believer
will say: I bear witness that he was the servant and Messenger of Allah.
They (The two Angeles) will say to the deceased: Look
to your place in Hell. Allah has substituted it with a place in paradise.
They see it all together.
However, the unbeliever or the hypocrite, will be asked
about Muhammad (P.B.U.H). He will say:’ I don't know! I used to say
what people used to say’. The two angels say to him:‘ How come you did
not know and you did not read about him’. Then they beat him heavily
with a metal hammer. This causes him to scream painfully and all his
surroundings will hear him except human beings and Jinns." (Bukhari
& Muslim).
Another authentic Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmed states
that the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said two or three times: "
Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave,’ then he said
:‘ When a believer is about to leave this world, angels with bright
faces like the sun come down to him from heaven with a shroud from the
shrouds of paradise and some of the perfume of paradise and sit away
from him as far as the eye can see.
Then the angel of death comes and sits at his head and
says:’ O good soul, come out to forgiveness and acceptance from Allah’.
The soul then comes out gently as a drop flows from a water - faucet
and he seizes it.
Then the other angels take the soul from the angel of
death and shroud it with the shroud from paradise, perfume with the
perfume of paradise; its fragrance will be like that of the sweetest
musk found on the face of the earth.
They then take the sweet-smelling soul up, and whenever
they pass by a group of Angeles, they ask :‘ Who is this good soul ?’
The angels, accompanying the soul, reply using the best of his names
that people used to call him by during his life:‘ So and so, the son
of so and so.’ When they reach the first heaven they request permission
to enter, and the gates will open to them.
The same is done in the following heavens until they
reach the seventh heaven, and Allah says :‘ Record the book of my slave
in the highest place and take him back to earth, for I created mankind
from it, into it they shall return, and from it shall be brought another
time.’
The soul returns to the body, and two angels come to
him, make him sit and ask him: ‘ Who is your Lord?’ He replies:‘ My
Lord is Allah. They ask:‘ What is your religion?’ and he replies:‘ My
religion is Islam’. They ask again:‘ Who is this man who was sent among
you?’ He replies:‘ He is Allah’s messenger’. They ask:’ What is your
knowledge?’ He replies:’ I read the book of Allah, believed in it and
declared it to be true.’.
Then it will be said:‘ My slave has spoken the truth,
so spread out carpets from paradise for him, clothe him from paradise,
and open a gate for him into paradise’.
Then some of its joy and fragrance come to him, his grave
is made spacious for him as far as he can see, a man with a glorious
face, beautiful garments and sweet perfume comes to him and says:’ Rejoice
in what pleases you for this is your day which you have been promised’.
He asks:’ Who are you, for your appearance brings goodness
?’. The man replies:’ I am your good deeds.’ He then says: ‘ O Allah,
bring the hour, so that I may return to my family and property.’.
But when a non-believer is about to leave this world,
angels with ugly faces come down to him from heaven with a hard and
rough cloth, and sit away from him as far as the eye can see.
Then the angel of death comes and sits at his head and
says:‘ O wicked soul, come out to anger and displeasure from Allah.’
It then becomes dissipated in his body.
The angel draws it out violently as a spit is drawn out
from moistened wool, and he seizes it; then the other angels take the
soul and put it in that rough cloth which emits a very offensive bad
stench like the worst smell found on the face of the earth.
They then take the foul-smelling soul up, and whenever
they pass by a group of Angels, they ask:‘ Who is this wicked soul?’
The angels, accompanying the soul, reply using the worst of his names
that people used to call him by during his life :‘ So and so, the son
of so and so,’ when they reach the first heaven they request permission
to enter and the gates will not open to them.
Then the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) recited this verse
from the Quran : " The gates of the heaven will not be opened to
them "(Quran 7:40), the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) continued saying
:‘Allah then says:" Record his book in the lowest place,"’
and his soul falls down to earth.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) then recited another verse
from the Quran: " He who assigns partners with Allah is as if he
had fallen down from heaven and been snatched up by birds, or made to
fall by the wind in a place far distant " (Quran 22:31).
The soul returns to the body, and two angels come to
him, make him sit and ask him:’ Who is your Lord ?’ He replies:‘ My
Lord? Oh, I do not know’. They ask:‘ What is your religion ?’ and he
replies:‘ My religion ! Oh, I do not know.
They ask again:‘ Who is this man who was sent among you
?’ He replies:‘ Oh, I do not know’. Then it will be said:‘ He has lied,
so spread out carpets from hellfire for him, and open a gate for him
into hellfire.’
Then
some of its heat and poison come to him, his grave is made so narrow
for him so that his ribs are pressed together in it.
A
man with a horrifying face, ugly garments and offensive odor comes to
him and says:‘ Be grieved with what displeases you for this is your
day that you have been promised’. He asks:‘ Who are you, for your appearance
brings evil ?’ The man replies:‘ I am your wicked deeds.’ He then says:‘
O Allah, do not bring the hour’" (Authentic-Ahmed).
All
of this, and the Day of Judgment has not yet started. So I remind myself
first and I remind you as my brothers and sisters to prepare for this
day; prepare for it by truly and sincerely submitting to Allah, doing
good deeds according to Allah’s commands in the Quran and the teachings
of the Prophet.
Avoid all types of wrong and evil which Allah and the
Prophet asked us to avoid, but do not delay or postpone since you do
not know when death will come.
The
following are simple step by step procedures for a Muslim funeral that
explain what should be done Islamically when death occurs.
2.1
When a muslim is at the point of death
Family members of the dying person and his most pious
friends should be informed and should be present at his side to help
him turn his thoughts to Allah, encourage him very gently to repent,
remind him about all the good deeds that he did, about Allah’s mercy,
and Allah’s forgiveness so that he may anticipate Allah’s mercy and
Allah’s favors.
Allah in the Quran said: "And who despairs of the
mercy of his Lord, but those who are misguided "(Quran 15:56).
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: " Let no Muslim
die except expecting and hoping the best from Allah" (Muslim).
Those who are present near a dying Muslim should do the
following:
2.2
Just after
death has been determined
When the person is confirmed dead, family members or
those who are present should : Close the eyes of the deceased. Um Salma reported that: " When her husband died,
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) closed his eyes" (Muslim).
They should bind his lower jaw to his head so that it
does not sag. They should cover all his body completely with a clean
sheet. Aisha reported that: " Muslims covered the body
of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) when he died" (Bukhari & Muslim).
They should make Dua’ (Supplicate) to Allah to forgive
him. They should hasten to prepare the body for washing, shrouding
and burial. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: " You should hasten
with his burial" (Bukhari & Muslim).
They should pay his debts from his money, or if there
is not enough, then from any family member or any relative, this matter
is important since the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) encouraged Muslims
to pay the debts of the deceased.
3
MOURNING THE DEAD
Mourning over the dead is allowed in Islam, but there
is a great difference between what is allowed Islamically and the practice
of some Muslims at the present time.
Grief at the death of a beloved person is normal, and
weeping for the dead is allowed in Islam. What is prohibited is to express
grief by wailing (Bewailing refers to mourning in a loud voice), shrieking,
beating the chest and cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, breaking things
or scratching faces or saying phrases that makes a Muslim lose faith.
All of this is totally prohibited, and the deceased may
feel pain by these actions, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: "The
deceased suffers when someone bewails loudly" (Bukhari & Muslim).
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: " Two things in
people are Kufr ( Ignorance ), one is to ridicule someone on his family
genealogy, and the other is bewailing loudly the dead " (Muslim).
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) also said: " I detest
a woman who cries out very loudly, or shaves her hair, or tears her
clothes when a beloved one dies " (Bukhari & Muslim).
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said:" He is not of us
who beats his face, tears his clothes and bewails loudly when misfortune
happens to him as was done before during the days of ignorance "
(Bukhari & Muslim).
Some people let their beard grow to show their sadness,
then after several days they shave it. Others wear black clothes, or
black ties. All of this has no basis in Islam..
It is a Muslim’s duty to advise gently those who do these
things to stop doing so, since it is totally prohibited. No loss, however
great, should lead a Muslim to sour his faith. They should however bear
patiently and accept Allah’s destiny.
There is no objection to quiet weeping as Prophet Muhammad
(P.B.U.H) did when his son died and said : " It is a mercy that
Allah made in the hearts of his servants" (Bukhari).
Relatives of a deceased Muslim may mourn him for three
days only, but a widow may mourn her husband four months and ten days.
This is due to Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who
said: " It is prohibited for a woman who believes in Allah and
the day of judgment to mourn any dead person more than three days except
her husband four months and ten days " (Bukhari). This period is
called the Edda (Waiting period) which is prescribed by Allah in the
Quran (2 : 234).
4
AL-GHUSL
A religious service is held over the dead body of every
Muslim, young or old, even of infants who have lived only for a few
minutes or seconds. When a person dies, the body is washed with warm
water. Soap or any other disinfectant is used to cleanse it of all dirt
and grime. In washing the dead body, the parts of the body which are
washed in wudu are taken first.
But before the washing is started and the clothes of
the deceased are removed, the private parts are covered with a piece
of cloth wide enough to cover the body from navel to knees. This is
kept until the washing is complete.
Wudu or ablution of the dead body is performed in the
following manner:
1.
The private
parts are thoroughly washed.
2.
The hands
are washed up to the wrists.
3.
The mouth
is cleansed with a piece of cotton.
4.
The nostrils
are cleansed with cotton.
5.
The face
is washed from forehead to the chin.
6.
The right
arm and after that the left arm is washed up to the elbows.
7.
The head
is wiped or washed up to the back of the neck.
8.
Lastly,
the feet are washed up to the ankles, first the right foot and then
the left.
After ablution, the whole body is thoroughly washed,
preferably three times. In a funeral home where proper arrangements
for pouring water through a rubber tube is available, washing three
times is not necessary. Then the whole body is dried, preferably with
a new towel.
5
AL-KAFAN
Then the body is shrouded in an unsewn shirt. This is
a sheet with a round opening in the centre for the head to pass through
and it covers the body from the front to the back up to the knees. To
further facilitate the putting on of the open shirt, cuts are made over
the shoulders, in case of a male, and a cut in the middle-front over
the bosom, in case of a female. Then the body is wrapped in a big sheet
long enough to cover the body from the top of the head down to the end
of the feet, with the face remaining uncovered. Finally, the body is
wrapped in a second big sheet, longer than the first one, and the two
ends are tied above the head and below the feet. In case the body is
placed in a coffin, the tying of the two ends is dispensed with.
To further explain the above, we deal with each piece
of cloth separately.
5.1
For a male
Three pieces of white cotton are used. Two pieces should
be approximately eight feet long and five and a half feet wide.
One piece is to form an unsewn shirt with a cut at the
centre to facilitate the passing through of the head. This piece should
be big enough to cover front, back and up to the knees.
One of the two pieces is wrapped from the head to the
thigh.
The largest piece is wrapped around the entire body from
head to toe and tied above the head and below the feet.
5.2
For a female
Five pieces of white cotton are used, two approximately
eight feet long and five and a half feet wide. Similar wrappings are
done as the above three with two additional pieces.
One piece is wrapped around the waist, or a loose pajama
is made.
The other piece is for a head covering which should cover
from the head to the navel.
If she has long hair, then after combing it properly,
it is placed in the front over the bosom.
6
SALATUL JANAZAH (THE FUNERAL)
A divine service is held over the dead body of every
Muslim, young or old, even of infants who have lived only a few minutes.
When the soul leaves the body, preparations are made for bidding him
the last farewell.
It is highly recommended that, after washing and shrouding
the body of the deceased, the body not to be kept long, but rather taken
quickly, prayed for, and then buried.
Salatul Janazah is required to be performed in congregation
to request pardon for the deceased and all dead Muslims, and to wrap
them all in Allah’s Mercy.
It is preferable that Salatul Janazah be performed outside
the Mosque or the Musalla (Prayer room), like in activity rooms or courtyards.
Salatul Janazah is a collective obligation. A Muslim
should not hesitate to participate in it, whether or not he knows the
deceased or his relatives.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " If a Muslim
dies and forty Muslims, who do not associate anything with Allah , join
in the Salatul Janazah, Allah accepts their prayers for him." (
Muslim ).
Salatul Janazah is said silently, except the Takbeer
and Tassleem. All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul
Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention),
and facing the Qiblah.
There is a reward for attending Salatul Janazah for both
the deceased and those who make the Salat according to the following
Hadith.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Who ever attends
the Janazah until it is finished, will earn a Qirat, and who ever stays
until the burial, will earn two Qirats. Someone asked: What does Qirat
mean ? , the Prophet answered :‘It means rewards as big as great mountain"
( Bukhari & Muslim ).
There are specific times when it is prohibited to perform
Salatul Janazah, unless it becomes necessary, due to the condition of
the body, to perform it quickly and then bury the body.
This is due to the Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) who
forbade us to pray, or bury our dead during these specified times (Muslim).
These prohibited times are :
From sunrise until the sun is fully risen, At the zenith of the sun (the sun at meridian), until
it passes the meridian, From when the sun pales before sunset until it has set.
STEPS OF SALATUL JANAZAH
It is preferable that Salatul Janazah be performed outside
the Mosque / the Musalla. All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul
Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention),
and facing the Qiblah. Muslims should form a minimum of three lines facing the
Qiblah. The one who leads the Salat is the leader or his deputy, or
the deceased’s father. If there is only one Muslim with the Imam, he should
stand behind the Imam. The body (ies) should be placed in front of the person
who leads the prayer. In case there are more than one dead Muslim (Males and
females), then the female(s) should be placed in the first row(s) in
the direction of the Qiblah, then the male(s) in the following row(s),
then the Imam. For example : If there are : a dead Muslim male, a female,
a young girl, and a young boy, then behind the Qiblah, first place the
body of the young girl, then the adult female, then the young boy, then
the adult male, so the bodies are arranged in a way that females’bodies
are first, then the males ( Figure (1) ).
Figure (1)
Figure (2) Figure (3)
The Imam should stand by the middle of a female body,
and by the head for a male body, this is due to the Hadith in which
Anas related that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) leading Salatul Janazah
for a dead male, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) stood in front of the deceased
head, and for a dead female, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) stood in front of
the midlle of her body.( Authentic-Abu Dawood). In another Hadith Samura
ben Jundub said when Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) made Salatul Janazah
for a dead Muslim female, he stood in front of her waist (Muslim) (Figure
(2), (3)). Behind the Imam, males stand in lines, then children,
then females (Figure (1),(2),(3)). There are NO Rukuh, Sujud, Athan, or Eqama. All those who take part in the service should perform
wudzu or ablution. The bier is placed in front of the congregation;
the Imam stands facing the middle of the bier if it is a woman and opposite
the head if it is a man, and faces the qiblah, i.e., towards Makkah.
The people form themselves into lines according to the number of those
who take part and face the qiblah. The general practice is to have three
rows at least. If the number of people is very small, there is no harm
if they form only one line. The number of rows should always be uneven,
i.e., three, five, seven, nine, and so on.
The prayer is offered only in a standing posture. The
service starts with the takbir (saying Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest)
at the pronouncement of which hands are raised to the ears and placed
in the same position as in prayer. There are four takbirs in all, the
final takbir being followed by a salaam as in the ordinary prayer.
First Takbir: After the first takbir the following prayer called Thana
(praise to Allah), followed by the opening chapter of the Qur'an, called
AI-Fatihah, are recited.
Sub-haa-na-kal
laa-hum-ma wa bi-ham-di-ka wa ta-ba-ra-kas mu-ka wa ta-`aa-la jad-du
ka wa laa i-laa-ha ghay-ruk. Glory to Thee, O Allah, and Thine is the praise, and
blessed is Thy name, and exalted is Thy majesty, and there is none to
be served besides Thee.
AI-Fatihah: A-`oo-zu bil-laa-hi mi-nash shay-taa-nir ra-jeem. Bis-mil laa-hir
rah-maa-nir ra-heem. Al-ham-du
lil-laa-hi rab-bil `aa-la-meen. Ar-rah-maa
nir-ra-heem. Maa-li-ki yaw-mid-deen. ee yaa-ka
na `-bu-du wa ee yaa-ka nas-ta-`een. Ih di-nas
si-raa-tal mus-ta-qeem Si-raa-tal la-zee-na an-`am-ta `a-lay-him, ghay-ril magh-doo-bi
`a-lai-him wa-lad-daal-leen.
"Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the
Beneficent, the Merciful, Master of the day of Requital. Thee do we
serve and Thee do we beseech for help. Guide us on the right path, the
path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favours, not those upon whom
wrath is brought down, nor those who go astray."
Second Takbir: Then follows a second takbir without raising the hands
to the ears, and the following prayer known as as-salaah ‘alan Nabiyy,
i.e., salutations to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, is recited:
Al-laa-hum-ma sal-Ii `a-laa Mu-ham-ma-din wa `a-laa aa-li
Mu-ham-ma-din ka-maa sallay-ta `a-laa Ib-raa-hee-ma wa-`a-laa aa-li
Ib-raa-hee-ma, in-na-ka ha-mee-dum ma-jeed. Al-laa-hum-ma baa-rik `a-laa Mu-ham-madin wa `a-laa aa-li
Mu-ham-ma-din ka-maa baa-rak-ta `a-laa Ib-raa-hee-ma wa `a-laa aa-Ii
Ib-raa-hee-ma, in-na-ka ha-mee-dum ma-jeed.
O Allah! Exalt Muhammad and the true followers of Muhammad,
as Thou didst exalt Abraham and the true followers of Abraham, for surely,
Thou art Praised, Magnified. O Allah! bless Muhammad and the true followers
of Muhammad as Thou didst bless Abraham and the true followers of Abraham,
for surely Thou art Praised, Magnified.
Third Takbir: The third takbir is then pronounced in a manner similar
to the second takbir, and a prayer for the forgiveness of the deceased
is addressed to Allah. Different forms of this prayer are reported as
having been offered by the Holy Prophet (pbuh), thus prayer in any form
is permissible.
The following prayer are the most well-known:
Al-laa-hum-magh-fir li-hay-yi-naa wa may-yiti-naa wa
shaa-hi-di-naa wa ghaa-i-bi-naa wa sa-ghee-ri-naa wa ka-bee-ri-naa wa
zaka-ri-naa wa un-saa-naa, al-laa-hum-ma man ah- yay-ta-hoo min-naa
fa-ah yi-hee `a-lal islaam, wa man ta-waf-fay-ta-hoo min-naa fa-ta-waf-fa-hoo
`a-lal ee-maan. O Allah! Grant protection to our living and to our dead
and to those of us who are present and those who are absent, and to
our young and to our old folk and to our males and to our females. O
Allah! Whosoever Thou grantest to live among us, cause him to live in
Islam (submission) and whosoever of us Thou causest to die, make him
die in faith.
Children: In the case of children, the following prayer is added:
Al-laa-hum-maj- `al-hu la-naa fa-ra-tan-w waj- `al-hu
la-naa zukh-ran-w waj- `al-hu lanaa shaa--fi- `an-w wa mu-shaf-fa- `aa.
O Allah! make him a cause of recompense for us and make
him a treasure for us on the day of Resurrection and an intercessor
and the one whose intercession is accepted.
Except for the takbirs and the salaam, the entire service
is performed silently. The hands are raised to the ears when the first
takbir is said but not when the other three takbirs are pronounced.
The latecomer can join the prayer at any stage by saying
Allahu Akbar but preferably not later than the announcement of the third
takbir when the main prayer for the dead is being offered.
Fourth Takbir and Tasleem: The prayers for the deceased are followed by a fourth
takbir, after which comes the tasleem as at the close of prayers, i.e.:
As-sa-laa-mu `a-lai-kum wa rah-ma-tul-laah. "Peace be on you and the mercy of Allah."
These words are uttered and the face is turned to the
right. At the second utterance the face is turned to the left.
7
FOLLOWING THE JANAZAH
After the Janaza prayer, it is customary for people attending
the funeral service to see the face of the dead body, and at that time
the outer sheet is removed to show the face. But in a sealed coffin
provided with a glass through which people can see the face, the outer
sheet need not be wrapped so as to cover the face.
It is customary for camphor and sandalwood, which are
both disinfectants and provide sweet smells, to be rubbed over the body.
But modern perfumes can also be used instead.
In the case of martyrs, or persons slain in a battle,
the washing and wrapping in white cloth is dispensed with.
The dead body is then placed on a bier or in a coffin,
and carried on the shoulders of the bearers to its last resting place
as a mark of respect, though the carrying of the body by any other means
is not prohibited.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) stood up when he saw the bier
of a Jew pass by. This he did to show respect to the dead, and then
enjoined his followers to stand up as a mark of respect when a bier
passed by, whether it was that of a Muslim or a non-Muslim.
Following the dead body to the grave and taking part
in the Divine service held over it is regarded as a duty which a Muslim
owes to a Muslim, and so also is the visiting of the sick. Technically,
taking part in Divine service is called farz-e-kifaya, which means that
it is sufficient that some Muslims should take part in it. Women are
not prohibited from attending the Divine service or from following the
bier. The service may be held anywhere - in a mosque or in an open space
or in a graveyard if sufficient space is available or even in a funeral
home where halls for this purpose are available.
After Salatul Janazah, the deceased should be transferred
to the Muslim cemetery. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Visit
the sick and walk with the Janazah, it will remind you of the hereafter"(Muslim).
It is recommended for those following the Janazah on
foot to keep behind or either on the right or on the left of those who
are carrying the body.
They should walk calmly, quietly, and not crowd or push
others who are carrying the deceased.
Following the Janazah with incense or candles, mentioning
Allah’s name loudly, weeping loudly or reading Quran, playing music,
or carrying the body of the deceased on a military car, all are not
allowed when escorting the body of the deceased.
The reward of Janazah prayer and following the Janazah
until the burial is finished is explained in the following Hadith of
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who said : " Whoever attends the Janazah
until it is finished, will earn a Qirat, and who ever stays until the
burial, will earn two Qirats. Someone asked: What a Qirat means ? ,
the Prophet answered :’ It means rewards as big as a great mountain"
( Bukhari & Muslim ).
8
AL-DAFIN (BURIAL)
Lowering the Body:
The following words are reported in a hadith as having
been uttered by the Holy Prophet (pbuh) when the dead body was lowered
in the grave:
Bis-mil laa-hi wa bil-laa-hi wa `a-laa sun-na ti ra-soo-lil-laah.
"In the name of Allah and with Allah and in accordance
with the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah."
The grave is then filled and a prayer is again offered
for the dead one. The people then depart.
Islam has a unique style of building graves and cemeteries
that is characterized by humility, simplicity and economy in costs and
that avoids glorifying the dead with elaborate monuments.
It is of great importance that a special cemetery be
devoted exclusively for the use of Muslims. Muslims may not be buried
in the cemeteries of non-Muslims, nor can non-Muslims be buried in a
Muslim cemetery.
The deceased should be buried in the locality in which
he lived. It is undesirable to take the body to the person’s own country
or to another city.
In Muslim cemeteries, there are two types of graves:
Al-Shaqq : is to make a deep vertical hole in the ground.
Al-Lahed : is to make a deep vertical hole in the ground,
then in the bottom make a side horizontal hole big enough to cover the
whole body. Both types are used, but it is preferable to use Al-Lahed
if the land is solid ( Figure (6) ).
Figure (6)
The burial should be done as soon as possible after death,
but the following times should be avoided:
At night. From sunrise until the sun is fully risen. At the zenith of the sun (The sun at the meridian), until
it passes the meridian. When the sun pales before sunset until it has set. During these times burying is prohibited unless there
is an urgent necessity, according to the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad
(P.B.U.H) that was narrated by (Muslim).
STEPS OF BURIAL:
A grave is dug deep enough to totally hide the body of
the deceased. The grave should be always perpendicular (Horizontal)
to the direction of Qiblah. Only men are allowed to attend the burial. All Muslims who are present should remember death, the
hereafter, and that one-day he too will be buried. They should keep quiet ( No talking unless it is necessary
). The deceased’s male relatives are expected to put the
body in the grave, putting the body in the grave should be carried out
only by Muslim men.. A female is placed in her grave either by her husband,
her sons, her father, her brothers, or her uncle. The deceased’s body should be entered to the grave from
the direction where his feet will be (From the rear of the grave) (Figure
(7)). How to enter the body into the grave
Rear Front
Figure ( 7)
Those who enter the body of the deceased in the grave
should say : (Bismil llah wa ala millati rasulil llah), which means
: " In the name of Allah and in the faith of the Messenger of Allah
". The deceased’s body should rest on his right side, and
should be close to the wall and supported so that the body will not
fall back, the deceased’s face should be towards the Qiblah.( Figure
(6),(8) ).
Figure ( 8)
Those who put the deceased in the grave should not have
had sexual intercourse with their wives the night before. According to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).
Anas Ibn Malik related that :" During the burial of the daughter
of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was sitting,
tears coming out from eyes, he asked us:" Who did not have sexual
intercourse with his wife last night?" Abu Talha answered:"
I, Prophet Muhammad ", then Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said to
him:" You get down in the grave and lay her down" (Bukhari).
They should undo the tie on the head and the feet. They should put above the body a layer of wood or other
layer, so that earth will not be put directly on the body when they
fill the grave with earth. After the body is totally covered, it is desirable to
throw three handfuls of soil into the grave. Then the grave should be filled up with sand. It is allowable to put a mark on the grave or a stone
to know the grave. It is also Sunnah to make the grave convex from sand,
according to the Hadith that was reported by Sofyan who said : "
That I saw the grave of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is made convex "
(Bukhari), convex out of sand. Just after the burial all Muslims, including the deceased’s
relatives, may stay in the cemetery for a while and make dua’ (Supplicate)
for the deceased, since he is being questioned by the Angels.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) in an authentic Hadith said:
" Make dua’ of Istighfar ( Supplicate for forgiveness) for your
brother and request steadfastness for him because he is now being questioned
" (Authentic -Abu Dawood).
8.1
Janazah ghaibana:
A similar religious service may be held in the case of
a dead person when the dead body is not present. This is called Janaza
Ghaibana.
9
SPECIAL CASES
9.1
Miscarried Fetus
If the fetus is less than four months old ( Mother was
pregnant for less than four months ), then the fetus may not be washed;
the fetus should be wrapped in a piece of white cloth and buried. Then
there is no Salatul Janazah for this fetus. If the fetus is more than four months old ( Mother was
pregnant for more than four months ), then the fetus may be washed,
shrouded (Using one or two winding sheets to cover the whole body),
and then Muslims have the choice whether to perform Salatul Janazah
or not.
9.2
Children
A)
Before reaching
the age of puberty, a child may be washed by males or females. Shrouding
a child for females use a shirt and two winding sheets and for males
two or three winding sheets may be used.
B)
For those
children who reached the age of puberty, they should be dealt with as
an adult { Female child like female adult, and male child like male
adult}, but then Salatul Janazah be performed.
9.3
Martyr
The body of a Martyr should not be washed, nor be shrouded
but buried with the same clothes that people found him with.
The strongest opinion of Muslim scholars is not to offer
Salatul Janazah for martyrs since Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) did not
offer it for the martyrs of the battle of Uhud.
10
Patience Enjoined
Islam forbids indulgence in intemperate grief for the
dead. It requires that all affliction be borne patiently. On hearing
of the death of a relative or a friend, or of any other affliction,
a Muslim is enjoined to say: In-naa lil-laa-hi wa in-naa I-lay-hi raa
ji-`oon (We are Allah's and to Him we shall return). These words are
a source of unlimited solace and comfort in bereavement. Hence it is
forbidden that one should indulge in regular mourning or ostentatious
grief.
When visiting a cemetery, the following prayer is recommended:
As-sa-laa-mu `a-lai-kum ah-lad di-yaa-ri mi-nal mu'-mi-nee-na
wal-mus-li-mee-na wa innaa in-shaa-al laa-hu bi-kum la-laa-hi-qoon.
Nas-a-lul laa-ha la-naa
wa la-ku-mul `aa fiyah. "Peace be on you, O residents of this world from
among the faithfuls and the Muslims, and we will surely join you, if
it please Allah. We pray to Allah for security for you and for ourselves."
Numerous innovations have developed regarding what should
be done to benefit the dead. There are traditions speaking of the Qur'an
being read to the dying person, but there is no mention at all of its
being read over the dead body or over the grave. However, it is reported
that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, prayed
for dead when visiting their graves.
The serving of food to visitors on the third or tenth
or fortieth day after death is also an innovation. There is no mention
of it in any tradition. It is, however, recommended that food should
be prepared and sent to the family of the deceased by others. Mourning
may be observed for three days at the most and people should visit the
house of the deceased to offer their condolences. After three days all
members of the family may attend to their work in the normal manner.
Alms may, however, be given on behalf of the deceased, and doing deeds
of charity is the only thing allowed.
11
CONDOLENCES
It is a Muslim’s duty to offer condolences, comfort,
and sympathy to the family and the relatives of the deceased. This strengthens
the relationships within the Muslim community.
When offering condolences, words should be chosen carefully
and said gently to convey sympathy and to encourage the family and the
relatives of the deceased to accept Allah’s will and to help them to
get back to their normal life.
Condolences may be offered to the family and to the relatives
of the deceased before, during or after burial for up to three days,
but it may be offered even at later time if someone did not hear about
it or he was far away.
It is recommended to leave after offering condolences
to give the family time to take care of their other affairs, assistance
may be offered for anything the family may need, and one may stay to
help, if asked.
Some families hold gatherings for three days or more,
and hire people to recite Quran loudly. While the Quran is recited,
others eat, drink or talk, disregarding the rules of listening to the
Quran, and inflicting the family with high expenses.
It is Sunnah that friends, neighbors and relatives prepare
food for the family of the deceased, for the loss of the loved one occupies
the family’s whole attention.
12
REWARDS AFTER DEATH
While the life span of a Muslim is short, and deeds and
actions stop after death, a Muslim may continue to earn rewards for
certain things even after his death.
Certain good deeds, such like: perpetual charity, useful
knowledge, a good child that prays for him, a Mosque that he built,
teaching Quran to another person, a house he built for public use, a
water fountain or a river that he rented and made it free for people,
or a charity that he gave during his life while he was in good health;
all are rewardable even after death.
In this respect the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said : "After
the death of a person his actions stop, except three things that he
leaves behind : First continuos charity, Second a knowledge from which
some benefit may be obtained, Third a virtuous son who makes Dua’ (Pray,
supplicate) on his behalf " (Muslim).
Charity will benefit the deceased, as the following Hadiths
show : " A man came to the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and asked him : "
My father died leaving wealth but no will, would he be pardoned if a
charity is given on his behalf ?", the Prophet (P.B.U.H) answered:"Yes"
(Muslim).
Another Hadith : " A man came to the Prophet (P.B.U.H)
and asked him :" My mother has died without making up for a missed
days of fasting in the month of Ramadan, can I fast for her ? "
, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said to him : " Would you pay her debt
if she owed someone ? ". The man said : " Yes", then
the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said : " Then Allah is more deserving of
payment in settlement of his debt" "( Bukhari & Muslim).
Ibn Abbas reported that : " A woman came to the
Prophet (P.B.U.H) and said :" My mother had vowed to perform Hajj
( Pilgrimage), but she died before she could fulfill her vow, should
I do it on her behalf ? " , the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said to him :"
Yes perform Hajj on her behalf. Would you not pay the debt of your mother
if she had owed someone ?, fulfill it. Allah is more deserving of receiving
payment for what is due to Allah" " ( Bukhari & Muslim).
So from the previous authentic Hadiths there are generally
three things that benefit the dead:
1) Charity; Continuos Charity;
2) Knowledge left by the deceased from which some benefit
may be obtained;
3) A virtuous son or daughter who makes Dua’ (Pray, supplicate)
on the deceased’s behalf, or perform duties that the deceased did not
do during his lifetime such as fasting missed days or Hajj, or pay his
debts.
People build fancy grave, put flowers, candles, food,
and perfume on the grave, all of this will not benefit the deceased.
13
VISITING THE CEMETERY
In the beginning of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.)
advised Muslim males not to visit the cemeteries, but after that he
the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) gave them the permission to visit the cemetery
to remind them of the hereafter.
This is based on the Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.):
" I advised you not to visit the cemetery, but from now you may
visit the cemetery, it will remind you of the hereafter " (Muslim).
All scholars have no dispute about the point that it
is prohibited for Muslim females to frequently visit the cemetery. This
is due to the authentic Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) who
said: " May Allah curse the women who are frequently visiting the
cemetery " (Authentic, Termithi).
But if the visit is not frequent, most scholars say it
is Makrouh (Hated action), while other scholars say it is permissible
for Muslim females to visit the cemetery provided that the visit is
not frequent and it is for the sole purpose of remembering death and
hereafter.
When Muslim females visit the cemetery, they should wear
proper clothes, no make-up or perfume, they should not cry loudly or
say words of discontent or behave in a way that is not Islamic.
The purpose of visiting the cemetery is to remember the
fact that everyone is going to die and that we must prepare for the
Day of Judgment.
Visiting the cemetery benefits the dead too, since the
visitors will make dua’ (supplicate) for the dead to forgive his sins
and have mercy on him.
NOTE:
There is no Islamic teaching of visiting the grave after
three days, or seven days, or twenty days, or forty days. There is no Islamic teaching of visiting the grave of
the parents every Friday. There is no Islamic teaching of visiting the grave any
special days such as Eid days, Ashura day, or Ramadan. There is no Islamic teaching of reading the Quran during
the visit to the cemetery. There is no Islamic teaching of wiping hands over the
grave, or kissing the grave.
THIS IS ONLY A QUICK LOOK AT THIS FINAL JOURNEY. A MATURE
PERSON BEFORE TAKING ANY TRIP SHOULD PREPARE ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO HAVE
A SAFE JOURNEY, AND SINCE NO ONE KNOWS WHEN THIS JOURNEY WILL START,
THEN IT BECOMES LOGICAL TO GET READY RIGHT AWAY.
PROPHET MUHAMMAD (P.B.U.H.) SAID IN AN AUTHENTIC HADITH
" BE IN THIS WORLD AS A TRAVELLER OR STRANGER "
(BUKHARI).
ALLAH SAYS IN THE QURAN: " EVERYONE SHALL TASTE
DEATH. AND ONLY ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION SHALL YOU BE PAID YOUR WAGES
IN FULL. AND WHOEVER IS IS REMOVED AWAY FREOM THE FIRE AND ADMITTED
TO THE PARADISE, INDEED THIS PERSON ATTAINED SUCCESS, AND THIS LIFE
IS ONLY ENJOYMENT OF DECEPTION " (QURAN 29:57).
FINALLY ONE FAMOUS POET SAID: " WHEN YOU ARE BORN,
YOU WERE CRYING WHILE OTHER PEOPLE WERE VERY HAPPY, SO MAKE SURE THAT
WHEN YOU DIE, YOU BE VERY HAPPY, WHILE OTHERS CRY".
14
THE IDDAH (WAITING PERIOD) OF MUSLIM WIDOWS (FEMALES)
Upon hearing the news of the death of her husband, a
Muslim wife should be steadfast and patient. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
said : " Patience (Endurance ) is to be present from the first
shock " (Muslim).
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Allah says:
I have no better reward than Paradise for a believer servant of Mine
who is patient and resigned when I take away one of his/her beloved,
one among those he/she most cherishes in the world " (Bukhari).
She should accept all that Allah plans for her and her
family with sincerity and patience, as Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said
: " When a person suffers from some calamity and supplicates: ‘
Inna lil-la-he wa inna ilay he ra je oon’,‘ to Allah we belong and to
Allah shall we return’, O Allah make good the loss in this calamity,
and grant me something good, Allah then compensates him/her for the
loss, and give a better substitute" (Muslim).
It is prohibited to express grief by wailing, shrieking,
beating the chest or cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, or saying phrases
that makes a Muslim lose faith.
Um Atiyyah reports : " The Messenger of Allah made
us pledge that we will not wail over the dead"(Bukhari & Muslim).
{see page 8,9}.
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " I detest a woman
who cries out very loudly, or shaves her hair, or tears her clothes
when a beloved one dies "(Bukhari & Muslim).
She may cry, as the Prophet did when his son died. He
said :" The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and
we will not say except what pleases our Lord" (Bukhari).
Allah in the Quran prescribed the Edda (Waiting period)
for those wives whose husbands die : " And those of you who die
and leave wives behind them, they (The wives) shall wait for four months
and ten days "(Quran 2:234).
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said in an authentic Hadith
: "It is prohibited for a woman who believes in Allah and the day
of judgment to mourn a dead person more than three days except her husband,
in which case it is four months and ten days" (Bukhari).
Edda is prescribed for widows in order to mourn the death
of their husbands, observe their memory, fulfill any obligations toward
them, and to see if the widow is pregnant or not.
In the following authentic Hadith, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
explains the way that she should conduct herself during this time.
Um Atiyyah reported that the Messenger of Allah said
: "A woman should not mourn for any deceased person for more than
three days, except in the case of her husband’s death, which she may
mourn for a period of four months and ten days. Such a woman in mourning
is not to wear any fancy, bright clothes, but only plain clothes, not
use any adornment or make-up, nor use perfume, nor die her hands or
feet with Henna " (Bukhari & Muslim).
If the widow is pregnant, then her waiting period ends
when she delivers her baby, according to Allah’s command in the Quran
: " And for those who are pregnant, their Edda is until they deliver
" (Quran 65:4).
14.1
DURATION OF EDDA
PREGNANT :
Until delivery NOT PREGNANT:
Four Months and Ten Days
So a widow during the Edda should:
Stay in her home and only leave when it is necessary.
Sleep in her home. Not wear fancy, bright clothes. Not wear jewelry. Not use makeup including eyeliners (kohol). Not use perfume.
THIS TIME IS NOT TO DEPRIVE HERSELF FROM LAWFUL THINGS,
OR TO SUFFER MORE THAN A HUMAN COULD BEAR. IT IS TIME TO REMEMBER ALL
THE MEMORIES OF HER HUSBAND, MAKE DUA’ FOR HIM, THINK ABOUT HERSELF,
AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. |
