بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على رسوله وآله أجمعين
When a Muslim passes away, it is the responsibility of his family, relatives, and the Muslim community at large, to perform the final Islamic rites relating to washing (ghusl), shrouding (kafn), praying upon (Salat al-Janaza), and burying the deceased (dafn).
There may be other procedures, such as legal paperwork, post-mortems, and death certificates that need to be processed before any of the above Islamic rituals can be carried out.
Acting with pace is very important
Collectively, any and all procedures that are required to bring the deceased to his or her final resting place is a communal obligation (Fard al-Kifāyah) upon the Muslim. It is also a right that we all have over one another.
Indeed, the Prophet ﷺ listed as one of the rights of one Muslim over another,
“…attending their funerals.” [1]
However, it is crucial that family members complete what is necessary in order to expeditiously carry out the Islamic rituals in order not to burden the deceased, the family, and the Muslim community more than what is necessary.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Hasten the funeral rites, for if the dead person was good, you would soon bring him close to the good.
“And if it is otherwise, it is an evil which you are ridding yourselves of.” [2]
In this article — the final part of our short series — we will present some of the Islamic etiquettes and ethos relating to washing, shrouding, praying upon, and burying the deceased.
It is important that learned people be consulted for the step-by-step guidelines or procedures relating to the above rites. This is in order that they are performed according to the Sunnah.
Ghusl and kafn
The pious Muslims of the past used their will to indicate their preferences for burial rites; such as the shrouding, preferred persons to wash their body, and Imam of their funeral prayer.
Accordingly, if the deceased has left such a will, it should be carried out as per its instructions.
Otherwise, preference should be given to their close family relatives with the following considerations:
- Righteous and trustworthy adult Muslims being preferred.
- Those bathing and shrouding the deceased to be of the same sex as the deceased.
- Possession of the knowledge of the Islamic way of washing and shrouding of the deceased.
Special permission and exception are given to spouses who wish to wash and shroud their deceased spouse.
The Prophet ﷺ told A’isha (radiy Allahu ‘anha),
“If you die before me, I will wash you.” [3]
It was also narrated that Fātima (radiy Allahu ‘anha) left a will that instructed Ali ibn Abī Tālib (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) to wash her body. [4]
Privacy and confidentiality of the deceased
Privacy of the deceased is a crucial part during ghusl and kafn, due to the sanctity of a Muslim’s body, even after they die.
It is something that is protected in the Sharī’ah and it is not permissible to transgress against it in any way whatsoever.
Gentleness and respect for the deceased
This includes rough handling of the deceased during washing and shrouding, exposing any defects unnecessarily, or even carelessly harming them.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Breaking the bone of one who is dead is like breaking it when he is alive.” [5]
He (ﷺ) also said,
“Breaking the bones of a dead person is like breaking his bones when he is alive in terms of sin.” [6]
This indicates that the deceased is not to be treated with disrespect, just as a living person is not to be treated with disrespect.
Maintaining their honour and dignity
Not only is gentleness and covering their private parts (‘awrah) from being exposed amongst the basic Islamic etiquettes, but maintaining their dignity and honour is also of utmost importance after the washing is done.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“He who washes a dead person and conceals what he sees [of defects or signs of a bad end], he will be forgiven forty times [i.e. a large number of sins].
“Whoever shrouds a dead person, Allah will clad him with garments of fine silk and brocade in Paradise.
“Whoever digs a grave and buries the dead in it, then he gets a reward as if he has provided a dwelling to the dead until the Day of Judgment.” [7]
In addition, it is highly desirable that anyone who washes the deceased should take a bath afterwards.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Whoever washes the dead, let him do ghusl, and whoever carries him, let him perform ablution (wudū).” [8]
Janaza
The janaza and burial is a communal obligation that must be attended by some members of the community in order to absolve the rest from any blame or sin.
It is one of the rights that every Muslim has upon another, as mentioned earlier in the hadīth of the Prophet ﷺ.
A means of huge reward for attendees
Not only is attending the funeral procession a show of reverence and respect and a potential means of forgiveness for the deceased, it can also be a means of great reward for the attendees.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“The person who prays the janaza will get the reward of one Qirāt.
“And the one who follows the janaza until its burial has finished: for him there are 2 Qirāts, one of them or the smaller of them is equivalent [in reward] to [Mount] Uhud.” [9]
Do not rush through the janaza prayer
The janaza can be performed in the Masjid, musalla, or the burial site.
It is important not to rush the janaza prayer, in order to allow sufficient time for people to supplicate for the deceased.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“When you perform janaza salah for the deceased, supplicate sincerely for him.” [10]
Should you announce the death or not?
It is disliked to make an announcement for the death of a specific person, but a general announcement can be made if the intention is to get as many people to attend the funeral as possible, in order to pray for the deceased.
This is because of the hadīth of the Prophet ﷺ, that said,
“When a Muslim dies and forty men — who do not associate partners with Allah — pray over him, Allah will accept their intercession for him.” [11]
Who is best to lead the funeral prayer?
The janaza should be led by the Imam of the Masjid or community, except when the deceased has left a will that a particular person lead the funeral prayer over them.
Permission of the Imam should be sought in this regard, and they should be informed of the deceased’s will.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“No man should lead another man in prayer in his place of authority, or sit in his place of honour in his house, without his permission.” [12]
Burial
Mention good qualities of the deceased
It is very important that utmost respect and sensitivity be shown during this funeral procession. This means that there should be no unnecessary talking, joking, or laughter taking place.
Rather, the occasion should be an opportunity for every attendee to mention the good qualities of the deceased and testify to their good character and good deeds which may be a means of salvation for them.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Do not mention your deceased, unless it is good.” [13]
He (ﷺ) also said,
“Whenever four persons testify to the goodness of a Muslim, they will enter Paradise.” [14]
The Companions asked,
“And three?” [14]
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Even three.” [14]
They asked,
“And two?” [14]
The Prophet ﷺ said,
“Even two.” [14]
Thereafter, the Companions did not ask about only one person. [14]
Likewise, it is Sunnah to take off our shoes, if possible, when attending the funeral procession. [15]
In addition, the Prophet ﷺ forbade us from stepping or sitting on any graves:
“For one of you to sit upon a hot coal and burn himself and his clothes would be better than sitting upon a grave.” [16]
Walking with the funeral procession
People can walk in front, at the back, at the right, or at the left of the funeral procession.
The Prophet ﷺ was offered an animal to ride during a janaza, but he refused to do so. When he (ﷺ) left the janaza, he was again offered the ride and he accepted it.
When he was asked about that, he said,
“The angels were walking, and I would not ride while they were walking. But when they left, I rode.” [17]
Lowering them into their resting place
When laying the deceased into the grave, family members and relatives have more right to place the body in the grave.
Allah says in the Qur’ān,
“But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled in the decree of Allah.” [18]
It is Sunnah to recite the following du’ā when placing the dead in the grave:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى سُنَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ
“In the name of Allah, and by the way of the Messenger of Allah [or by the tradition of the Messenger of Allah].” [19]
Take some time to pray for the deceased
Once the deceased has been placed in the grave, it is the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ to stay a while and supplicate for the deceased whilst standing by the grave.
Uthmān ibn Affān (radiy Allahu ‘anhu) narrates that when the Prophet ﷺ used to finish burying the deceased, he would stand over him and say:
“Seek forgiveness for your brother and ask steadfastness for him, for indeed he is being questioned now.” [20]
Having reliance in Allah
Losing a loved one is never easy. However, solace and comfort can always be sought from the Muslim community, others who have been stricken with similar loss, and most importantly, from Allah.
Knowing that Allah is al-Hāfidh (the Preserver) and al-Hafīdh (the All-Protector) means that He is going to be our Guardian and Protector when it may seem that we have none.
He is the One who preserves the Heavens and the Earth and He is watching over His servants from everything that harms them. He has been preserving the Ummah of the Prophet ﷺ ever since his departure from this world, and will continue to do so.
Allah says in the Qur’ān,
“And indeed, [appointed] over you are guardians.” [21]
What is required of us is that we rely upon Him for support and comfort and draw closer to Him.
He is the Disposer of all of our affairs (al-Wakīl) and He is the only Guarantor (al-Kafīl) of our future. He puts us to trials and tribulations in order for us to grow stronger in faith towards Him and prepare for the inevitable ourselves.
Allah says in the Qur’ān,
“[He is] the Lord of the East and the West, none has the right to be worshipped but He. So take Him Alone as al-Wakīl (Disposer of your affairs).” [22]
Conclusion
We ask Allah through His Beautiful Names to shower us all and our loved ones with His Mercy, Forgiveness, Compassion, and Love.
May He grant us His protection and preserve us in this world and the Hereafter.
May al-Wakīl grant us the ability to always rely upon Him for support and comfort and endure all of our hardships with patience, firm belief, and expecting a full and complete reward from Him in this world and the Hereafter.
Action points
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Do your best to ensure a swift completion of necessary legal procedures that may delay the Islamic rites.
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Perform the ghusl, kafn, janaza, and dafn according to the Sunnah and, if they had one, the deceased's will.
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Maintain the deceased's dignity, privacy, and respect throughout the process; you are fulfilling their Islamic right.
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] Sahīh al-Bukhārī, 1,240; Sahīh Muslim, 2,162; https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1240 & https://sunnah.com/muslim:2162b
[2] Sahīh al-Bukhārī, 1,315; Sahīh Muslim, 944; https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1315 & https://sunnah.com/muslim:944a
[3] Musnad Ahmad, 25,908; Ibn Mājah, 1,465; https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:1465
[4] al-Shawkānī, Nayl al-Awtār, vol. 4, 35; al-Bayhaqī, Vol. 3, 396
[5] Abu Dāwūd, 3,207; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3207
[6] Ibn Mājah, 1,617; https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:1617
[7] Mustadrak al-Hākim, 1,307
[8] Abu Dāwūd, 3,161; al-Tirmidhi, 993; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3161 & https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:993
[9] Sahīh Muslim, 945; https://sunnah.com/muslim:945e
[10] Abu Dāwūd, 3,199; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3199
[11] Sahīh Muslim, 948; https://sunnah.com/muslim:948
[12] Sahīh Muslim, 673; https://sunnah.com/muslim:673a
[13] al-Nasā’ī, 1,935; https://sunnah.com/nasai:1935
[14] Sahīh al-Bukhārī, 1,368; https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1368
[15] Abu Dāwūd, 3,230; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3230
[16] Sahīh Muslim, 971; https://sunnah.com/muslim:971a
[17] Abu Dāwūd, 3,177; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3177
[18] al-Qur’ān, 8:75
[19] Abu Dāwūd, 3,213; al-Tirmidhi, 1046; and Musnad Ahmad, 5,233; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3213 & https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:1046
[20] Abu Dāwūd, 3,221; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3221
[21] al-Qur’ān, 82:10
[22] al-Qur’ān, 73:9
Salam Alyakum, Jazakum Allah kheyran
I always wonder what is the real rule when it comes to women walking in Jannaza or attending . In some countries it happens to see women walking or at the grave before burial and in others there is no women or it is said it is not allowed.