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.
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.
As Muslims near death, they turn their faces toward Mecca and their last words are to be the declaration of faith: “There is no god but Allah.†During this final rite of passage, traveling from this world to the next, Muslims believe that the angels of death, Munkar and Nakir, will question the deceased in the tomb, giving him or her a preview of how they will fare in the next world.
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.†Muslims believe 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. 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. A corpse is not left alone between death and burial, it will be surrounded by loved ones praying for a safe and painless passage to the afterlife. An autopsy may be performed, if necessary, but should be done with the utmost respect for the dead.
Muslim Funeral Dress Etiquette
The funeral service takes place in a Mosque where shoes are required to be removed. Women and men sit separately in designated seats. Women are obligated to wear a headscarf.
In preparation for burial, the body 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). In general, male family members perform the ritual preparations for their male relatives and women for the bodies of their female relatives. Professional corpse-washers of the same sex as the deceased may also be used. The exception is that a husband can prepare the wife's body and a wife can prepare her husband's. Embalming is not permitted.
If the deceased was killed as a martyr, this step is not performed; martyrs are buried in the clothes they died in. Many Shi'ites believe that martyrs don't need to receive the final ablution because they will be taken right to heaven. Pilgrims who die while making the hajj are also considered martyrs.
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.)
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 possible, burial must occur on the same day; however, it can't take place after sundown Burial at sea is permitted only if it is unavoidable.
When the body first arrives at the gravesite, a male family member or an iman recites the first sura or shahadah of the Qur'an. The person presiding over the funeral may whisper the shahadah into the ear of the deceased. This action serves as a reminder to the deceased of the proper answers to be given to the questioning angels in the tomb.
If available, a cemetery (or section of one) set aside for Muslims is preferred. The traditional grave is 4 to 6 feet deep, with a shelf hollowed out on one side. The corpse is placed in the grave on the side with the shelf (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.
After the burial, often a reception is held in the honor of the deceased.
According to the Muslim tradition, the prophet Muhammad did not encourage mourning. However, in common practice, men and women are expected to mourn their spouses for four months and ten days. Widows observe an extended mourning period, 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.
For other deaths, the mourning time is three days and nights. Mourning is observed in Islam by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry. Family members and friends are encouraged to visit the cemetery to remain mindful of God and their common destiny and to recite the shahadah on those occasions.
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.
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.
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