09-27-2004, 08:29 AM
<b>Funeral: Summary of Procedures</b>
Islamic Shariah has provided guidance for all affairs of life. So complete is this guidance that the final stages of our life in this world are thoroughly explained and direction is provided for human conduct. Sickness and death are treated just like any other act. If they are performed with sincerity and proper etiquette they are worship that would be amply rewarded by Allah subhanahu taala.
We live in a land where Islamic etiquette about this very important aspect of human life is not known, not only the non-Muslims are unaware of the way a Muslim dead person is to be treated but sadly many Muslims themselves are quite ignorant of their responsibilities towards their dead relative.
One important aspect of this responsibility is that all Muslims should prepare a will (wasiyat) as soon as possible. This helps tremendously in events that take place after the death and ensures that the merath (inheritance) is distributed according to the commands of Allah. (Request a "Will Proforma" from Connecticut Council of Masajid (click here).)
Allah says:
It is prescribed when death approaches any of you if he leave any goods that he make a bequest to parents and next of kin according to reasonable usage; this is due from the Allah-fearing. (Al Qur’an, 2:180).
and Allah’s Apostle () said,
"It is not permissible for any Muslim who has something to will to stay for two nights without having his last will and testament written and kept ready with him." (Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (RAA). Abu Dawud Hadith 1088. Also reported by Bukhari and others.)
Very often the last people who, as medical staff, see the dead person alive are non-Muslims. It is the duty of the relatives to inform them in advance of what is to be done once the person dies. It is therefore essential that we as Muslims should learn the etiquette ourselves.
As much as possible the dead body of a Muslim should not be left alone and also should not be touched by non-Muslims. As most often the death occurs at, or the dead body is carried to, a hospital, it is only possible to achieve the above through a considerable effort and sacrifice by the family and friends of the deceased person. Following is the general sequence of events that occurs when a person dies in America:
The body is in, or ends up in a hospital or a medical center.
If the family is not aware of the death they come to know about it soon enough through the medical staff or law-enforcement authorities. Contact your local masjid (click here) or CCM immediately for guidance. Choose a person as the Amir (leader) for the proceedings. All questions and decisions should be referred to him.
A funeral home is contacted to remove the body from the hospital to the funeral home. The funeral home may need information for getting the death certificate and burial certificate.
Arrangements for washing and shrouding the body are made. (Contact CCM if you need supplies for washing or shrouding.)
Person in-charge of the graveyard is contacted to request preparation of a grave.
Prepare or procure a coffin to carry the deceased from the funeral home to the graveyard. Do not bury the body in the box. Return the coffin to the place where you borrowed it from.
The body is washed and shrouded at the funeral home and is then carried to the place where Salaatil Janaaza is to be offered.
Salaatil Janaaza is offered.
After the Salaatil Janaaza the deceased is carried to the cemetery and laid to rest.
If you need help in any aspect of the funeral contact CCM (203) 562-2757
