A lithographic painting depicting a Muslim funeral procession in India, circa 1888

Funerals in Islam follow fairly specific rites, though they are subject to regional interpretation and variation in custom. In all cases, however, sharia (Islamic religious law) calls for burial of the corpse, preceded by a simple ritual involving bathing and shrouding the body, followed by salah (prayer). Cremation of the body is generally forbidden.

[edit] Common Islamic Burial Rituals

Burial rituals should normally take place as soon as possible and include:^[1]

• Bathing the dead body,^[2] except in extraordinary circumstances as in battle of Uhud.^[3]
• Enshrouding dead body in a white cotton or linen cloth.^[4]
• Funeral prayer.^[5]
• Burial of the dead body in a grave.
• Positioning the deceased so that the head is faced towards Mecca (Makkah Al-Mukarramah).

[edit] Bathing the Deceased

The corpse is washed (ghusl bathed), the purpose is to physically cleanse the corpse. The exact manner: the method, style and accessories used for bathing the corpse may vary from locale and temporal position. However the deceased is bathed, it is an essential ritual of the Sunnah of the Islamic prophet Muhammad,^[6] and therefore a part of the Islamic Sharia. Ideally, this occurs as soon as possible, within hours of the actual death.

The orthodoxy practice is that the body is washed while a cloth is put on top of it. The water is then poured over the body with the cloth on the body. The genitals should be covered at all times.

The "washers" are commonly the same gender as the deceased and immediate family members. In the case of violent death, or accident where the deceased has suffered trauma or mutilation, morgue facilities accommodate this practice and mend or pack the body in a shroud (so there is minimal blood or fluid leakage (which would distress the mourners)) prior to the body of the departed being surrendered to the mourners.

[edit] Enshrouding the Deceased

The corpse is proscribed to be respectively wrapped (takfeen) in a simple plain cloth (the kafan). The corpse is wrapped so the dignity and privacy of deceased remain at all times observed and respected. The exact style of wrapping the kafan (tafkeen) and specific material, color or embllishment of tafkeen cloth may vary reginoally and temporally. However, the shroud should be simple and modest- rather than gaudy style or very flashy. It is for this reason that Muslims have generally preferred to use white cotton cloth to serve as kafan. It is allowed to put some perfume on the cloth.^[7]

The deceased may be required to lie in state for several hours for the burial day, for well-wishers to pass on their respects and condolences.

Islam is well suited to modern society, as contemporary lifestyles mean unique travel circumstances. If the corpse must be transported from overseas to be buried, and the duration to burial is greater than a day (especially if the departed passed away overseas, or the next of kin is domiciled overseas)- there is no major issue, (as long as adequate refrigeration, embalming and hygiene methods have been undertaken (especially packing the orifices so the deceased does not "weep" fluids)- as this would understandably be unhygienic and most distressing to the mourners).

[edit] 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 Salat al-Janazah (Janazah prayer).

The Janazah prayer is as follows:

• like Eid prayer, the Janazah prayer is incorporates an additional (four^[8]) Takbirs, the Arabic name for the phrase Allahu Akbar, but there is no Ruku' (bowing) and Sujud (prostrating).
• Supplication 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.^[5]
• Dogma states it is obligatory for every Muslim adult male to perform the funeral prayer upon the death of any Muslim, but the dogma embraces the practical in that it qualifies, when Janazah is performed by the few it alleviates that obligation for all.^[9]

[edit] Burial

Grave of a Muslim

The deceased is then taken for burial (al-Dafin). The exact manner, customs and style of the grave, the burial and so forth may vary by regional custom. The Islamic directive is simply that a respectful burial in the ground be observed.

Ideally, the grave itself should be aligned perpendicular to the Qibla (i.e. towards Mecca). The body is placed directly into open grave without a casket. Graves should be raised, up to a maximum of 12 inches (30 cm) above the ground. Grave markers are simple, because outwardly lavish displays are discouraged in Islam. Many times graves may even be unmarked, or marked only with a simple wreath. However, it is becoming more common for family members to erect grave monuments.

In Middle Eastern cultures women are generally discouraged from participating in the funeral procession. The reason for this is that in most cases, a woman's emotional nature would cause her to make a scene in the presence of other men, which is not allowed in Islam.^[10]

The body is laid such that the head is facing the Qibla.

Three fist-sized spheres of hand-packed soil (prepared beforehand by the gravediggers) are used as props, one under the head, one under the chin 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 departed husband, the male brother or brother-in-law usually performs this task. In the case of a departed wife, the husband undertakes this (if physically able). If the husband is elderly, then the eldest male son (or son-in-law) is responsible for lowering, alignment and propping the departed.

The orthodoxy expects those present to take symbolically pour three handfuls of soil into the grave while reciting "We created you from it, and return you into it, and from it we will raise you a second time".^[11] More prayers are then said, asking for forgiveness of the deceased, and reminding the dead of their profession of faith.

In a Tatar Muslim cemetery

The corpse is then fully buried by the gravediggers, who may stamp or pat down the grave to shape. Commonly the eldest male will supervise. After the burial, the Muslims who have gathered to pay their respects to the dead, collectively pray for the forgiveness of the dead. This collective prayer is the last formal collective prayer for the dead.

[edit] Mourning

According to orthodoxy, loved ones and relatives are to observe a 3-day mourning period.^[12] Islamic mourning is observed by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry.

Widows observe an extended mourning period (iddah, period of waiting), 4 months and 10 days long,^[13] in accordance with the Qur'an.^[14] During that time, the widow is not to remarry, interact with na-mahram (with whom she can marry). However in case of emergencies such as visiting doctor for health emergency she can interact with na-mahram.

Grief at the death of a beloved person is normal, and weeping for the dead (by males or females) is perfectly acceptable in Islam.^[15].

Islam does expect expression of one's grief to remain dignified: Islam prohibits the expression of grief by loud wailing (bewailing refers to mourning in a loud voice), shrieking, beating the chest and cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, breaking objects, scratching faces or speaking phrases that make a Muslim lose faith, although much latitude is granted in practice as fatigue and emotion can adversely effect ones' behaviours, and such behaviour rarely censured..^[16]

Muslim men finishing a grave after a recent burial

[edit] Directives for Widows

The Qur'an prohibits widows to engage themselves for four lunar months and ten days, after the death of their husbands. According to the Qur'an:

Islamic scholars consider this directive a balance between mourning of husband's death and protection of widow from cultural or societal censure if she became interested in re-marrying after her husband’s death, often a sad economic necessity.^[17] This provision also operates to protect the property rights of the unborn, as the duration ascertain whether a lady is pregnant or not.^[18]

Husbands are recommended to make a 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:

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Ghamidi (2001), Customs and Behavioral Laws
2. ^ Sahih al-Bukhari 1254
3. ^ Sahih al-Bukhari 1346
4. ^ Sahih Muslim 943
5. ^ ^{a b} Ghamidi, Various types of the prayer
6. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 344-358
7. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 353-358
8. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 404
9. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 359
10. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 368
11. ^ Qur'an 20:55
12. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 369-371
13. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 370-371
14. ^ Qur'an 2:234
15. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 391
16. ^ Sahih Muslim Volume 2, Book 23, Number 375-393
17. ^ Islahi (1986), p. 546
18. ^ Shehzad Saleem. The Social Directives of Islam: Distinctive Aspects of Ghamidi’s Interpretation, Renaissance. March, 2004

[edit] References

• Ghamidi, Javed (2001). Mizan. Dar al-Ishraq. OCLC 52901690. 
• Amin Ahsan Islahi, Tadabbur-i-Qur'an, 2nd ed., vol. 1, (Lahore: Faran Foundation, 1986)

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Islamic cemeteries

• Islamic Funeral Rites
• Preparation of the Deceased and Janazah Prayers