Islamic Burial
Practicalities Of Death
Following the loss of some of our family members, we thought it would be useful to share information about how to cope with death so others can benefit.
How To Prepare For Death
You may be unsure what to say or do if someone close to you has a serious illness. This section provides information on:
What to do if you hear someone has a serious illness
If you hear of someone who is severely ill or has a terminal condition, you should:
1. VISIT THEM
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim (i.e., he has to perform five duties for another Muslim): 1) To return the greetings,
2) To visit the sick,
3) To accompany funeral processions,
4) To accept an invitation,
5) To respond to the sneezer [i.e., to say: `Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah bestow His Mercy on you),’ when the sneezer praises Allah].”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The reward for this is immense as it is reported that ‘Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying,
“When a Muslim visits a sick Muslim at dawn, seventy thousand angels keep on praying for him till dusk. If he visits him in the evening, 70,000 angels keep on praying for him till the morning; and he will have (his share of) reaped fruits in Jannah.”
[Tirmidhi]
Specific etiquettes and matters to consider when visiting an ill person can be found here.
2. REASSURE THEM
It’s important to be positive and put the one who is ill in a good state of mind, while reminding them of that any illness is a means of purification for the one who is patient with it. Say some kind words and reassure them that every illness has a cure and that ultimately Allah(SWT) is able to cure anyone by any means.
3. PRAY FOR THEM
Some of the supplications (dua) which are recommended are:
“O Allah! The Lord of the people, the Remover of trouble! (Please) cure (Heal) (this patient), for You are the Healer. None brings about healing but You; a healing that will leave behind no ailment.”Anas(RA) read this over Thabit (RA) referring to it as the Ruqya of Allah’s Apostle.
[Sahih ul Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 71, Number 638]
In Allah’s name I do your Ruqya from every ailment that harms you. From the evil of every soul and every jealous eye. Allah (Swt) will cure you.
‘As’alullaahal-‘Adheema Rabbal-‘Arshil-‘Adheemi ‘an yashfiyaka’(Recite seven times in Arabic.) This means “I ask Almighty Allah, Lord of the Magnificent Throne, to make you well.” [At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud]
Recite the following verses:
Surah Al-Fathiha
Surah Al-Ikhlas
Surah Al-Falaq
Surah An-Nas
The Prophet (SAW) would say to the ill person “Never mind, it is purification (spiritually expedites sins) if Allah (swt) wills.” (Arabic: Laa ba’s Tahooran InshaAllah)
WHAT TO SAY – DO’S and DON’TS
Try to avoid:
What can I do to help? As Doug Ulman, the chief executive of Livestrong and a three-time cancer survivor, explained: “The patient is never going to tell you. They don’t want to feel vulnerable.” Instead, just do something for the patient. Clean out the fridge, replace the light bulbs, unpot the dead plants, etc.
Insisting on home-made or village remedies.
Mollycoddling or treating them like a child.
False statements about how good they look which often times makes them more self-conscious and concerned about how they actually look.
Do:
Ask how they are and give them space to lead the conversation
Let them know they don’t need to respond to every visit or contact or feel obliged to keep everyone informed, especially in the age of social media.
Keep it short – use “I should be going now” so you don’t overstay your welcome. 20 minutes is more than enough and make it less if the patient is tired or in pain. And while you’re there, wash a few dishes or tidy up the room. And don’t forget to remove any rubbish when you leave.
A slight change of topic can go a long way – patients are often sick of talking about their illness. By all means, follow the lead of the individual, but sometimes ignoring the elephant in the room is just the right medicine.
Remind them you love them and care for them. When all else fails, simple, direct emotion is the most powerful gift you can give a loved one going through pain.
Say positive things and cheer them up
Encourage them to make repentance (tawbah)
Encourage them to prepare a will if they haven’t already prepared one. More information is available at www.onlineislamicwill.com
Ask them to be patient
Ask them to make dua for you
You should encourage the one who is ill, while remaining patient with them, to:
Make dua (supplications) to Allah(SWT) for the best outcome. There must be sincerity towards Allah in the dua, and sincerely turning to Him with humility. Encourage them to seek out the times when prayers are answered, for when a person raises his hand to Allah(SWT) in dua, Allah (SWT) is reluctant that the person should remain empty-handed.Remind them not to be hasty in seeking a response, for Allah (SWT) may delay the answer for a reason that is known to Him, so you should be patient and have certain faith. Remember that the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Call upon Allah when you are certain of receiving a response, and remember that Allah does not answer a du’aa that comes from a heedless heart.”
Show patience for Allah(SWT) is testing them through this illness and He (SWT) may have something far better for them in return for their short period of trial
Try not to complain. There have been many times of ease and joy they have experienced and inshaAllah, this challenging time will pass soon.
Repent to Allah (SWT)
Some of the signs of death approaching are:
Loss of appetite and possibly, difficulty swallowing
Increased tiredness and sleep. These are signs of the metabolism slowing down especially if they are drinking and eating less. Try to help them drink small sips water of water or keep their lips moist to prevent dehydration, but do not force them.
Physical weakness
Mental confusion. Despite this, remain calm and reassuring in your manner and speak softly with them.
Breathing may be become more difficult and shallow and there can be gargling or rattling sounds as phlegm builds up in the throat. This can be quite disconcerting but try to keep calm otherwise you can cause them to become very anxious as well.
Going to the toilet less and less and urine may be more concentrated.
Swelling in the feet and ankles as the kidneys are less able to process bodily fluids.
Coldness in fingertips or toes as blood circulation withdraws to help the vital organs.
It has been noticed that a person’s nose and temple may begin to sink or become distorted.
It is recommended to turn the ill person towards the Qiblah if this does not cause them discomfort.
Gently remind them to say the shahada by saying ‘La illaaha illa Allah’. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Exhort your dying ones to say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah.”
Narrated by Muslim, 916.
Mu’aadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) also said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say:
“If a person’s last words are Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Paradise will be guaranteed for him.”
Narrated by Ahmad, 21529 & Abu Dawood, 3116.
After Death
When someone you know passes away it can be a confusing and uncertain time. This section outlines some of the practicalities and bereavement support available
Important: At all times the body of the deceased must be handled with great care and attention to ensure no harm or discomfort is caused. This is because the soul continues to feel pain after passing from this world based on the teachings of Islam.
A) IMMEDIATELY AFTER DEATH
When the soul departs, the body is still warm and flexible and its important to undertake these steps early others the body become rigid.
Gently close eyes of the deceased
Gently close their mouth and very slowly tie a piece of cloth (you can use a soft bandage) from the chin to the head to ensure their mouth remains closed
Very gently, place their hands on their side
Gently tie their ankles (or 2 toes) together, so they remain together (ensure legs are closed)
The Sunnah is to keep the body of the deceased on the right side, if this can be done easily, so that they are facing the Qiblah, and their head is in a neutral position.
The next steps after this point are
B) CONTACT YOUR DEATH WELFARE COMMITTEE OR M. IKLAQ ( Iky )
Tel: 07976 666909
C) CONTACT A HEALTH AUTHORITY TO SEEK A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE
Before a death can be registered, a Doctor, normally the registered GP, will need to issue a “Medical Certificate” that shows the Cause of Death. Depending on the circumstances of death (Home, Hospital, Natural, Unexplained…) determines whether a use of a coroner may be required to certify the death. Generally, a death certificate can be obtained promptly if the GP has seen the patient in the last 14 days and there are no causes for concern about how the death occurred. If a further investigation into the cause of death is required, the Coroner will need to carry out a Post Mortem.
DEATH AT A HOSPITAL
If the death occurs in the hospital, then the bereavement office will get involved until the deceased is transported to the Hospital Mortuary while the Registration talks place. Once the cause of death is established, the Bereavement office will need the death certificate which is obtained from the registry Office located at Queens Hospital or at the Local Library Burton. After the registration, the body then can be released to your preferred Funeral director for funeral/Burial or to be placed in the community Mortuary.
D) POST-MORTEM
When a death is reported to the Coroner, a decision needs to be made if a Post-Mortem is required to help determine the exact cause of death. You will not be able to register the death until this has been completed. The family of the deceased can request for a Non-invasive Post Mortem (using MRI Scanning). The MRI facility is provided at the Queens Hospital in Burton.
The additional cost of the scanning (approximately £600) will have to be met by the family.
Detailed protocol for a minimally invasive autopsy MRI post mortem.
CONTACT YOUR DEATH WELFARE COMMITTEE OR A FUNERAL DIRECTOR
Make contact with a local funeral director. If you would like to contact a Funeral Director in Burton, a complete list of services and Mosques are available here.
The Funeral Director will need to know some personal details about the deceased and proposed funeral arrangements and arrange a suitable time to arrange the funeral. They will be able to arrange for cold storage of the deceased, liaison with the cemetery and arrangement of the janazah (funeral prayer).
CAUSES OF DEATH
NATURAL CAUSES
(Form 100A) Certificate – When a doctor has informed a coroner of the death but the doctor has been given permission by the coroner to issue a Medical Certificate, you will receive the Medical Certificate and Formal Notice in the same way as detailed above. There may also be an ‘A’ certificate. This is a form from the coroner informing the registrar that they are aware of the death but no further investigation is necessary and permission has been given to the doctor to issue the Medical Certificate. In some parts of the country this is delivered by the coroner’s service direct to the registrar of births and deaths. In other areas you may be asked to collect this from the coroner and take it to the registrar with the Medical Certificate. The doctor, bereavement officer or coroner’s officer will explain this to you.
(Pink form B / form 100) Notification by the Coroner – If the coroner has ordered a post mortem examination but there is no requirement for an inquest, the coroner will send this to the registrar (in some cases it may be given to you to take to the registrar). This is instead of the Medical Certificate from a doctor.
These forms are sent to the registrar, but sometimes given to you.
UNNATURAL CAUSES / NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF NATURAL CAUSES
Order for Burial (form 101) – When there is to be an inquest and the person is going to be buried the coroner has to give permission for the funeral to proceed. This is usually collected by the funeral director from the coroner’s service on your behalf.
Certificate After Inquest (form 99 (rev) – this states the cause of death and is sent to the registrar (the death is registered by the registrar with no-one present)
E) REGISTER DEATH
This will be done at your local Registrar’s Office and should be undertaken by the next of kin who will require a passport copy for the deceased as well as information such as nature and location of the death. If the Coroner is involved, the Registrar will communicate with the Coroner before allocating an appointment.
The doctor or the Coroner will either provide you with the relevant forms confirming the “Cause of Death” to give to the Registrars or they may send them over themselves for processing.
The registrars will in return give you 1 copy of the “Certificate for Burial” that you will need to give to your Funeral Director so that the burial can take place.
The registrars will also give you a form to send to the (DWP) Department for Works and Pension, to allow them to deal with the person’s pension and benefits.
WEEKEND DEATH
Not many locations provide a full 7 Day Coroner operation, Death Registration and Burial service (including Bank Holiday), so please consult your local Death Welfare Committee or Funeral Director as soon as possible to try and get the process started and moving as quickly as possible.
Through the ongoing advocacy and partnership work of Death Welfare Committee and local councillors in Burton, the local authority now offers an emergency call out service on Saturday & Sunday from 9 to 11am by calling your Death Welfare Committee Liaison Officer to register a death out of office hours. To use this service:
You will need a death certificate (Medical Certificate Cause of Death)
there mustn’t be any referral to the Coroner.
The registrar cannot go ahead with the registration until the coroner has issued the necessary clearance/paperwork. As the coroner does not provide an out of hours service at the weekend the registration will be deferred until the clearance has been received from the Coroner’s office. Further information is available here.
REGISTERING THE DEATH
The registrar will issue as many certified copies of the death certificate as you need (priced at £4.00 each on 1 December 2013), a certificate of registration or notification of death (BD8) form for the Department of Work and Pensions and a certificate for burial or cremation (‘green form’). Both of these are free and the green form is sometimes replaced by a form from the coroner.
Many registrars will also inform you about the governments Tell Us Once service. This is available in most of the country and allows you to inform central and local government departments of the death very quickly. This helps to avoid over-payment of benefits and pensions and reduce the number of phone calls you need to make.
F) FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
This can be arranged through your Death Welfare Committee or your local Mosque and/or a Funeral Director and consists of the following steps:
Please Note: You must have a Certificate for Burial (known as the Green Form) or Order for Burial (form 101) that a coroner has issued otherwise a burial cannot take place.
Body Washing (Ghusul)
Shrouding the body (Kafn)
Funeral Prayers (Janazah Salãh)
Funeral procession (carrying the funeral bier to the grave)
Burial (Whether it’s in the UK or Abroad)
If the burial is to take place in Burton then burial must be booked with the Stapenhill Crematorium office either through Death Welfare Committee, funeral directors or directly with the Cemeteries department.
TAKING THE BODY TO ANOTHER COUNTRY E.G. PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN OR IRAQ
If you intended to take the body to another country for a funeral service where the burial will take place, there are a number of practical and administrative issues to deal with.
You need to notify the coroner if you want to move the deceased to overseas.
The death must be registered in the usual way, by attending the Register Office. You must also contact the Coroners’ Office to make them aware that you wish to move the body abroad and will need to complete a Form 104 (Form of Notice to a Coroner of Intention to Remove a Body out of England). This form can be obtained from either the Registrar who registered the death, the Coroner’s Office or from the funeral director you have chosen to undertake the repatriation. The Coroner will need to see any certificate for burial or cremation issued by the Registrar.
The Coroner requires at least four working days’ notice before the body is to be moved so that any necessary enquiries can be made. In urgent situations it may be possible to bring this forward and, if necessary, you should contact the Coroner’s Office in advance for advice.
The Coroner or your appointed funeral director will provide you with a Form 103 (an acknowledgement of Form 104 by the Coroner), in order that arrangements can be made for the body to be moved.
Your funeral director will guide you through the documents that may be required by the country concerned:
Acknowledgement from the Coroner (Form 103).
Certified Copy of an Entry from the Registrar (Death Certificate).
Passport of the deceased.
Certificate of embalming of the deceased.
Declaration by the funeral director as to the contents of the coffin.
Freedom from Infection Certificate.
Permission from the appropriate consulate for disposal.
It is sensible not to make any flight bookings or funeral arrangements until the coroner’s acknowledgment (Form 103) has been issued and the appropriate documents obtained, in case there are any difficulties with the application.
To make arrangements for transporting the body, it is best to consult a funeral director who specialises in this type of work and has expertise in particular countries and airlines. It may also be appropriate to contact the country’s consulate for their advice and recommendations.
Repatriation will incur additional costs, for example, the deceased will need to be embalmed and then secured in a zinc lined coffin. The cost of the flight itself and expenditure in the destination country, together with consular charges also need to be considered.
What is a post-mortem?
A post-mortem becomes necessary where a GP or the hospital cannot verify the cause of death. In these cases, the coroner becomes involved and his role is to examine and cut open the body to understand this cause of death.
The option for an (MRI) scan has been made available as an alternative to cutting a dead body for Post Mortem.
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner, allows pathologists to zoom in to the areas of the corpse that they want to study in greater detail and strip away layers of clothes and tissue without having to cut them.
In such instances, the family can approach the coroner’s office and request an MRI Scan rather than the traditional surgical type of post-mortem. Even though the coroner still has discretion over the matter, they should be flexible and try to accommodate the family’s request for an MRI scan.
Local activity
Following a number of faith discussions nationally, Burton Death Welfare Committees worked with the Coroner’s office and local councillors to consider an alternative approach to post-mortems by offering a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan rather than an intrusive autopsy.
In the instance where a GP or the Hospital cannot verify the cause of death, the family can approach the coroner’s office and request a MRI scan rather than the traditional surgical type of postmortem. It is still at the discretion of the coroner although they will try to accommodate the family’s request for a MRI scan where possible.
The MRI Scan option has been available to the community for a number of years now and there is a charge to use this facility (previously £500, which can be paid in cash, but this sum may have been updated). This service is available through Burtons Death Welfare Committees and is undertaken at the MRI Centre Queens Hospital Burton.
Once the MRI scan has been undertaken, the report is provided to the Coroners office and the body released back to the funeral directors. If approved, a green form will be provided from coroners office and the burial arrangements can be made.
FUNERAL DIRECTORS WHO CONDUCT ISLAMIC FUNERAL SERVICES
Washing and storage facilities
Car parking facilities
Liaison with Death Welfare Committees locally
Arrangement of funeral bier, transportation
Liaison with the hospital, coroner and cemetery.
Contact your preferred choice or ring Iklaq ( iky ) approved by Princess Street Mosque
Contact: Haji Iklaq ( iky )
Tel: 07976 666909
1) Al Mumin Muslim Funeral
Address:Funeral services in Burton
FUNERAL DIRECTORS WHO CONDUCT ISLAMIC FUNERAL SERVICES
Washing and storage facilities
Car parking facilities
Liaison with Death Welfare Committees locally
Arrangement of funeral bier, transportation
Liaison with the hospital, coroner and cemetery
1) Al Mumin Muslim Funeral
Address: 343 Stafford Rd, Wolverhampton WV10 6DY
Contact: 0800 7880666
2) Derby Islamic Centre Funeral Service
Address : Sacheveral Street Derby DE1 2JR
Contact: 07446 150735
3) T J Parry & Family Funeral
Address: Britannia House, Station St, Burton-on-Trent DE14 1AX
Contact: 01283 205285
4) Wellings
Address: 55 Derby St, Burton-on-Trent DE14 2LD
Contact: 01283 563555
5) Murphys
Address: 23 York St, Burton-on-Trent DE14 2LX
Contact: 01283 562299
6) CO-OP Funerals
Address: 8 Borough Rd, Burton-on-Trent DE14 2DF
Contact: 01283 568431
BURTON REGISTER OFFICE / REGISTRAR
Address: Burton Library Riverside, Burton upon Trent, Burton-on-Trent DE14 1AH
Contact: 0300 111 8001
Email: registrarsenquiries@staffordshire.gov.uk
CORONERS SERVICE
The Coroner’s duty is to investigate circumstances of deaths if violent, unnatural or unknown cause decide whether a Post Mortem examination is necessary hold an inquest and notify the Registrar of Deaths of the findings
Address: HM Coroner Staffordshire South
1 Staffordshire Place
Stafford ST16 2LP
Contact: 01785 276126 or 276127
Acting Senior Coroner
Assistant Coroner –
Tel:
Further information –
CEMETERY – STAPENHILL CEMETERY
Address: 38 Stapenhill Road, Burton DE15 9AE
Hours:
Monday to Sunday
9.00am to 5.30pm
Phone: 01283 508572
LOCAL MOSQUE
Jamia Hanfia Ghosia Mosque and Princess Street Resource Centre
19-24 Princess Street
Burton on Trent
DE14 2NW
Contact: Mr. Shokat Mehmood
Committee Chairman
Tel: 07980 444034
It’s important at this time to remember that:
Every person and everything belongs to Allah (SWT).
Recognise that everything has a fixed time in this life, including the soul (rooh)
Death is inevitable and will come to all of us.
The divine decree (Qadr) of Allah (SWT) is true.
There is no problem with crying due to the loss of someone, although Islamic teachings prohibit excess even in this matter by wailing and tearing clothes, slapping your cheeks or harming yourself in any other way. Instead, Islam teaches that patience (sabr) at this time is highly rewarded by Allah(SWT).
After the death of a loved one, many, if not all, will have feelings of grief and be in a state of shock.
Bereavement refers to the period of mourning and grief following the death of a beloved person. Mourning is the expression of sorrow for someone’s death. Grief refers to one’s personal experience of loss and has physical as well as emotional symptoms.
Everyone responds to death differently and depending on the context of someones passing away and the nature of the relationship we had with him may influence this response.
In Islam, there is a way to grieve and Faith usually helps in bereavement as we know that this is not the end of a person’s existence, rather their soul lives on.
Some of the common feelings while mourning include:
Shock and numbness as the feelings can be overwhelming
Sometimes it can take a long time to sink in and come to terms with the person’s absence
Pain and Distress
Anger; it’s common for one to question why it happened to the deceased and at this time. It’s important to remember that every person’s lifespan (ajjal) is pre-destined and that we will all have to leave this life at some point.
Feelings of guilt despite the fact that we cannot change the situation or have known the time or place of death.
Depression
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) suffered many bereavements including:
The passing away of his father before he was born and his mother when he was just 6 years old.
Born an orphan, he was looked after by his grandfather (Abdul Muttalib) who passed away soon after when he was just 8 years old
His wife Hazrat Khadija (RA) who was the mother of 4 of his daughters.
His uncle who brought him up, Abu Talib, passed away.
There was an incident when the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him), Zaynab (RAA) sent for her father as her own daughter was very ill and dying. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) sent a message back stating:
Greetings of peace,
Whatever Allah (SWT) takes aware belongs to Him.
Whatever He gives belongs to Him.
Everything with Him has a limited fix term.
Therefore be patient and anticipate Allah’s (SWT) reward.
Zaynab (RAA) then asked for his attendance and the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) went with some Companions and he lifted his Grand-daughter in his arms. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) could see his granddaughter would not live long and had some tears in his eyes.
His (Peace and blessings be upon him) companion asked about the tears.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) said this is Rahmah (Compassion) which Allah(SWT) has placed on his slaves. Allah(SWT) is compassionate only to those amongst his slaves who are compassionate to others.
Allah(SWT) also reminds us many times int he Quran that this life is a test and that we will continue to be tested through fear, hunger and loss of property, lives and wealth. The Prophet (SAW) gave good news to those who are steadfast.
Those who say when afflicted with a calamity
We belong to Allah (SWT) and to Him we shall return
Quran: Surah Al Baqarah, Ayah 156
If the person who died has left a will, it is the responsibility of the executor to administer the estate. It will depend on the value of what is left and how it is held as to whether probate is needed, eg: whether it is property or accounts or shares. Probate is a court order which can be required to release the assets. If there is no will, how the estate is distributed is set out in the rules of intestacy and a very similar process to probate may be needed.
The person responsible can choose to do all the work involved personally but the decision needs careful thought as it can take up to a year or even more to administer a complex estate, especially if a property has to be sold. Professional help is available from solicitors and specialist probate services provided by trust corporations.
It is important that every person has a will, both Islamically and according to British law. More information about creating a compliant will can be found at https://onlineislamicwill.co.uk.
As with all professional services, do ask about the terms and conditions of the service and how fees are charged before entering a contract.
Funeral And Burial Guide
When a Muslim male or female passes away their body needs to be prepared for an Islamic burial
Important: At all times the body of the deceased must be handled with great care and attention to ensure no harm or discomfort is caused. Any injury caused to the body is like causing injury whilst the person was alive according to Islamic guidance.
WASHING THE BODY
When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of his family or other Muslims within the local community to wash him according to the Islamic rites of washing the deceased. Usually at least three to four people will be involved in the process of ghusl (washing and shrouding).
Giving ghusl is a Fard Kifayah (communal obligation) which must be completed by some members of the community, otherwise, the whole community will be sinful.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Whoever follows a Muslim’s funeral, out of faith and seeking to increase his account of good deeds, until he makes the funeral prayer for it will have a Qeeraat’s worth of reward. And he whoever follows it until it is buried, will get two Qeeraats” He was then asked what two Qeeraats were and he replied, “They are equivalent to two huge mountains; [the smaller of the two is like Mount Uhud].”(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
WHO SHOULD WASH THE BODY?
The persons who may wash the deceased should be:
Adult Muslims who are honest and trustworthy persons
Of the same gender as the deceased ie if the deceased is male, then ONLY males should wash him. For a young child, either males or females may do the ghusl. There is an exception for the husband who wishes to bathe his wife or vice versa.
Knowledgeable of the Islamic way of washing the deceased and be able to carry out the ghusl
Preferably in a state of wudhu (ablution)
MAINTAINING DIGNITY
When washing a body, whatever you see during the washing and shrouding process must not be discussed outside anywhere with anyone. Privacy must be maintained at all times.
Do not use water which is too cold or too hot water, rather it should be a moderate lukewarm temperature.
PROCESS OF GHUSL
Gently untie the cloth covering the deceased from the head and feet
Make sure the private parts of the deceased (awrah) remain covered and slowly remove clothing
Gently raise the upper body (put your hand on the back of the person) and gently press the stomach 3 times – this will allow any waste to exit the body.
Use gloves, new white cloth or a sponge to gently clean private parts while they are covered. Gently lift the legs so you have access to back and front. If you use a white cloth it will show you how much more washing may be required. You may need to clean the deceased once, twice enough times until the body is clean.
After you have cleaned the private areas of the body, throw away the used cloth and gloves.
Ensure respect is shown to the deceased and the same cloth or gloves are not used for the remaining parts of the body – to do so would be disrespecting the deceased and very unhygienic.
Now perform full ghusl washing of the body.
a. Gently clean the right hand gently passing water in-between fingers. Always start from the right side.
b. Then do the same for the left hand up to the wrist.
c. Wet some cotton wool and gently rub the mouth area
d. Using some wet cotton do the same to the nose, cleaning the inside of the nose.
e. Now gently wash the face (like in wudu).
f. Clean the right hand and arm. A person should lift the arm while another person gently washes it. Do the same for the left arm
g. Now clean the back of the head (Masa), neck, ear and top the head.
h. Wash both feet including in between toes
i. Now wash entire body (water must go everywhere, including the private parts.
Now you can use shower gel to wash the entire body and the family can assist.
You can use berry leaves or similar fragrances. At the time of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), boiled berry leaves and Dor Sidhar (in luke warm water) was used.
Remove soap from the entire body and ensure the back is clean.
It is recommended to wash an odd number of times (1, 3, 5, 7) and clean as much as possible to ensure there are no impurities on the body.
If available, apply crushed Camphor to the body as this has a pleasant fragrance and preserves the body. Put it in a tub of water, mix and then put it all over the body, especially in places of prostration (sajdah) – forehead, nose, hands, knees and legs.
Change towel on body
Dry the body and gently dab body with cloth.
There are no sound narrations which mention the recitation of any specific supplications during the ghusl process.
If the body is decomposed or not intact due to being involved in an accident, review if it is possible to wash body with water. If not it is possible to do Tayammum. For such specific information or for other scenarios it’s important to clarify with your local Islamic scholar or Imam.
The process of shrouding is as follows:
Open and lay the deceased on the table/bed
Gently lift the body of the deceased and slowly place onto the shroud (kafn)
The kafn material must be unstitched cloth and although no specific colour has been specified, the Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace and Blessings upon him) favourite colour was white.
THE MALES KAFN
For a male, there are three pieces of Kafn.
– The first piece is worn like a vest (qamees). It should have an opening to fit through the head, covering both shoulders to the knee area. It is a long sheet that is folded in half and an opening slit is cut (like a V shape) to allow fitting onto the body.
– Ensure private areas are covered and carefully remove the towel from the body. Fold any excess material (from both sides) and tuck underneath body.
– The second sheet is the Izar which covers the body from head to feet and should be tucked in tightly while leaving the face area uncovered for men.
– The third sheet is called the lifafah and covers above the head and beyond the feet wrapping the entire body from left to the right
Use soft straps/cloth as a tie for:
– the leg side (from ankles) so they do not come apart
– Middle part of the body
– Headside
THE FEMALES KAFN
This should cover from the shoulder to the ankle and consists of 5 pieces
– Qamees: a Sleeveless Shirt
– Izar: Waist Wrapper
– Lifafah: Winding Sheets
– A piece to cover chest
– Khimar – a piece to cover head like the head veil
According to the Shafi’e school of thought, you can use more covers in odd numbers – 7, 9 or as much as possible
Tie-backs are also used so Kafn does not untie itself
Some people use Ihram from a Hajj they have performed and scholars have explained that this is acceptable. There are no narrations which relate to using ZamZam water for ghusl or soaking the kafn in zamzam.
The body is now ready for the Janaza prayer.
The process for the funeral prayer is as follows:
Preparation
The body of deceased should be placed at the front where Imam usually stands to lead prayer.
NOTE: Most of the Burton mosques follow the Hanafi madhab which requires the presence of the body, rather than performing janazah in absence (salaatul ghaa’ib)
It is preferred that the deceased is turned towards direction of Qiblah.
The Imam should stand near the chest area of the deceased
There is no Adhan and no Iqamah for this janazah salaah
Everyone should stand facing the Qiblah direction
The intention should be present to pray the funeral prayer
The prayer
The Imam says Allahu Akbar aloud to begin the salaah and then folds his hands across his body placing right over left. The followers should also say Allahu akbar silently and fold their hands in a similar manner.
Everyone should recite quietly “Subhana kalla humma wa bihamdika, wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta’ala jadduka, wa la ilaaha ghayruk” which means “O’Allah! All glory is due to You, I praise You, Your name is the Most Blessed, Your Majesty is highly exalted and there is none worthy of worship You.”In the Hanafi madhab, they only read the above as they consider this prayer to be a dua, rather than a formal salaah (prayer). The Shafi’e, Malaki and Hanbali madhaahib state that one should read Surah Al Faatiha as well.
The Imam will then say ‘Allahu Akbar’ for the second time. In the Hanafi Madhab there is no raising of the hands at this point unlike the other madhaahib.
Everyone should now recite quietly the durood as follows
“Allahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadiwa ‘alaa aali Muhammadin kamaa sallaita ‘alaa Ibrahima wa ‘alaa aali Ibrahima innaka hameedum majeed.Allahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadiwa ‘alaa aali Muhammadin kamaa baarakta ‘alaa Ibrahima wa ‘alaa aali Ibrahima innaka hameedum majeed.”
This means “Oh Allah! shower Your mercy upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad , as You showered Your mercy upon Ibrahim and the followers of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
Oh Allah! Shower Your blessing upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad as You showered Your blessings upon Ibrahim and the followers of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.”
The Imam will then say ‘Allahu Akbar’ for the third time.
Everyone should now make dua for the deceased. One of the Prophetic dua which can be read here is “Allahumma-ghfir li-hayyina wa mayyitina, wa shahidina wa gha’ibina, wa sagheerina wa kabeerina, wa thakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa-ahyihi ‘ala-l-islami. Wa man tawaffaytahu minna fa-tawaffahu ‘ala-l-imani. Allahumma la tahrimna ajrahu wa la taftinna ba’adahu.” meaning “O Allah, forgive our living and our dead, those present and those absent, our young and our old, our males and our females. O Allah, whom amongst us You keep alive, then let such a life be upon Islam, and whom amongst us You take unto Yourself, then let such a death be upon faith. O Allah, do not deprive us of his reward and do not let us stray after him.”
If it is a child who has passed away, the dua differs slightly as follows.
For boys, it is read “Allahummaj’alhu lanaa farathaw waj’alhu lanaa ajraw wa dhukhraw waj’alhu lanaa shaafi’aw wa mushaffa’an” meaning “O Allah, make him (this child) a source for our salvation and make him a source of reward and treasure for us and make him an intercessor for us and one whose intercession is accepted.”
For girls, it is read “Allahummaj’alhaa lanaa farathaw waj’alhaa lanaa ajraw wa dhukhraw waj’alhaa lanaa shaafi’ataw wa mushaffa’ah” meaning “O Allah, make her (this child) a source for our salvation and make her a source of reward and treasure for us and make her an intercessor for us and one whose intercession is accepted.”
The Imam will then say ‘Allahu Akbar’ for the fourth time and then complete the prayer with salaam to the right and then left. In the Hanafi and Shafi’e madhab they do both salaam, whereas the Malaki and Hanbali schools complete with one Salam to the right only.
The body will be transported to the graveyard by the appointed burial service. Arrangements will have been made with the cemetery to reserve a space in the Muslim section of the graveyard at Stapenhill cemetery.
It is recommended when lowering the body in the grave that you say “Bismillah, wa ‘ala millati rasul-illah” meaning In the Name of Allah and according to the religion of the Messenger of Allah).
The should be placed so that it is facing the Qiblah direction. According to the Prophetic practise, this would have meant laying the deceased on their side in the grave. If there is a requirement to keep the coffin, the head of the coffin should face towards the Qiblah.
Then, the remainder of the grave should be filled with the earth removed from the grave. Care should be taken not to step, disturb or take earth from other graves. Earth should not go directly on to the body and its recommended to contribute at least three handfuls to the burial while reading from Surah Taha as follows “Minha khalaqnaakum wafeehaa nu’eedukum wa minha nukhrijukum taaratan ukhraa” meaning “From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time.
The remaining earth can be filled in using the digger. According to the Sunnah, the grave should be slightly raised above the ground with a prominent mound over it in order for it to be recognized as a grave. Sufyan at-Tammaar (RA) said that he had seen the grave of the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) and that it was humped. [Al-Bukhari]
At the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) no headstone was used, although some scholars permit the use of a very simple headstone for identification purposes only. The information on it can include grave number, name of the deceased, date of death and age. No Qur’anic verse or scriptures should be used as its primary purpose is only as a way to locate loved ones.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said “Visit the grave as often as possible, it will soften hearts and remind you of death.”
The purpose of visiting the graves is to remind us about our inevitable end and return to Allah (SWT) to account for our lives.
On entering the graveyard, its recommended to say Assalaamu ‘alaykum ahl al-diyaar min al-mu’mineen wa’l-Muslimeen, in sha Allaah bikum laahiqoon, as’al Allaaha lana wa lakum al-‘aafiyah which means “Peace be upon you O people of the dwellings, believers and Muslims, In sha Allaah we will join you, I ask Allah (SWT) to keep us and you safe and sound).”
When visiting the graveyard, it’s important to make dua (supplication) for the deceased and not to talk about worldly matters. Dua should be made facing the qibla, not the graves. Care should be taken not to walk on or disturb any of the graves.
For those who have passed away, it’s important to remember them in a good light and if one is not able to, then it’s better to remain silent.