Islamic Death Rites: What Are They?

In Islam, post-death rituals differ from Western funerals, which involve coffin burial or cremation. Key points include maintaining a deathbed vigil, inviting the imam for advice on prayers and rituals, placing the bed facing Mecca where possible, encouraging daily prayers, and providing clean stones for symbolic purposes.

Muslims believe in an afterlife and that once an individual’s soul is freed from the physical body, they await a reckoning. At a Muslim funeral, mourners congregate at the mosque and recite the Islamic funeral prayer, Ṣalāt al-Janāzah, which sees pardon for the deceased. Muslim funeral rites are led by an Islamic leader, known as an imam, and usually last from 30 to 60 minutes.

Islam provides instructions for the dying, those present at the time of death, and those responsible for burying the deceased individual. The Quran states that “everyone shall taste death”. Muslims are always buried, never cremated, and it is a religious requirement that the body be ritually washed and draped before burial. Those carrying out this duty should be immunized against hepatitis B and be aware of the hazards of AIDS.

Common Islamic burial rituals include bathing the body, shrouding, funeral prayer, burial, and mourning directives for widows. Funeral prayers are led by the Imam, with attendees forming at least three lines: men, then children, and women in the back. After the body is shrouded, mourners pray over the body, close their eyes, bind the jaw, and cover the body with a clean sheet.

In conclusion, Islamic death rituals include maintaining a deathbed vigil, inviting the imam for advice on prayers and rituals, placing the bed facing Mecca, and entrusting personal care to family members.

Why 40 days after death in Islam?

The 40th day of death in Islam marks the end of a formal grieving period, where families pray for the dead and ask for pardon and kindness. This act of charity, often carried out in the deceased’s name, reflects the Islamic belief that good deeds should continue after death. The 40 days also represent a period of introspection for the living, guiding them towards faith-based peace and helping them process their loss.

These death rituals underline the universal human desire to honor the dead and support the soul on its journey through the afterlife. The 40-day mourning period in the Bible and other religious texts emphasizes the importance of this time in determining the soul’s fate.

Can husband touch wife after death in Islam?

The Nikah ends when a wife’s death occurs, and a husband cannot perform the Ghusl or touch her body without a barrier. This is because the permissibility of touching and giving Ghusl has also ended. Other matters, such as looking at her face, shouldering her bier, and lowering her into the grave, are permitted. The famous statement that a husband cannot carry the funeral bier or lower her into the grave or look at her face is incorrect and baseless, as they have no basis in the Shari’ah.

What happens to the soul immediately after death in Islam?

After death, most Muslims believe that the soul will enter Barzakh, a state of waiting, until the Day of Judgement.

• When a person dies, their soul is taken by Azra’il, the Angel of Death.
• God sends two angels to question the waiting soul.
• If the questions are answered correctly, the good soul then sleeps during Barzakh.
• If the questions are not answered correctly, the soul is tormented by angels, known as punishment of the grave.

Muslims believe they get to Paradise by living religiously, asking Allah for forgiveness and showing good actions in their life. These good actions will be rewarded on the Last Day. Therefore, obeying the rules set by Allah is of ultimate importance.

Muslims believe there are seven levels of Heaven, although “seven” is interpreted by some Muslims as simply “many”. Each Heaven is made of a different material, and a different lives in each Heaven. The first Heaven is made of silver and is where Adam and Eve live. Abraham lives in the seventh Heaven in a place made of divine light.

Why do Muslims wait 40 days after death?

The imam explains that the soul is separated from the body during death, but it lives on and visits loved ones on the seventh and 40th days after death, as well as one year later. The soul expects a gift from the family, and the greatest gift one can give to the deceased is doing a good deed on their behalf. In Islamic tradition, burying the body immediately after a person’s death is considered a sign of respect.

Is it haram to cry when someone dies in Islam?

Islam is a religion with strict rules guiding crying over a dead person, with wailing and lamenting considered haram and punishable by punishment. The religion has two sects, Sunni and Shi’a, with slightly different traditions but believing in another life after death. Before death, family members and friends encourage a person to proclaim that there is no God besides Allah (shahada), which grants access to paradise (Jannah).

If the person refuses to say the shahada, they will go to hell (Jahannam). When the person passes, the people present say “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”, meaning they belong to Allah and will return.

Why should we not cry when someone dies in Islam?

Islam is a religion with strict rules guiding crying over a dead person, with wailing and lamenting considered haram and punishable by punishment. The religion has two sects, Sunni and Shi’a, with slightly different traditions but believing in another life after death. Before death, family members and friends encourage a person to proclaim that there is no God besides Allah (shahada), which grants access to paradise (Jannah).

If the person refuses to say the shahada, they will go to hell (Jahannam). When the person passes, the people present say “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”, meaning they belong to Allah and will return.

How many days are Muslim death rituals?

Muslims believe in a physical resurrection on Judgement Day, prohibiting cremation and autopsies. They also prefer not to move the body away from the site of death, making autopsies unsettling. Embalming is performed only if required by law. After the burial, flowers are sent to the family’s home, and a 40-day mourning period is observed. Mourners at an Islamic funeral may express grief within certain standards of decorum, such as not wailing loudly or exhibiting extreme emotion. Crying is allowed, and traditional Muslim funeral etiquette forbids taking pictures or recording any part of the funeral prayer service.

What should a non-Muslim do at a Muslim funeral?

At a Muslim funeral, it is a significant spiritual community event where both men and women remove their shoes at the mosque door and sit on the floor in separate areas. Following the funeral, it is customary to visit the immediate family home to show support and condolences. The funeral typically includes a meal and modest attire, with men wearing plain shirt and pants, women wearing long sleeves and a high neck, and clean socks.

During the 40-day mourning period after the burial, it is appropriate to send flowers and food, following Islamic dietary restrictions. If you’re unsure what to send, consider ordering a Halal Gift Basket.

What is the Muslim death routine?

After a loved one’s death, their eyes and mouth are closed, and the body is covered with a white sheet. According to Islamic funeral rites, the body is washed three times by close family members of the same sex (Ghusl). Muslims believe in the afterlife, believing that a person’s actions throughout their life determine their fate. If they perform good deeds and follow Islamic religious codes, they will be rewarded with entry to Paradise on the Day of Judgement.

Muslim funerals are spiritual events central to Muslim communities, offering comfort and an opportunity to pray to Allah for mercy. Islamic law dictates that funeral arrangements must begin immediately after the death of a loved one, with no viewing or visitation.

Do Muslims have to be buried within 24 hours?

Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid, chairman of the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony in the UK, states that a person should be buried as soon as possible after death, usually within 24 hours. This delay is partly due to poor hygiene conditions and to protect the living from sanitary issues. However, Dr Sajid acknowledges that it is acceptable to delay a Muslim burial if the person has not died from natural causes.