Muslim Burial & Funeral Management
Funeral Management
Whenever a servant of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala takes leave from this world for the Hereafter, Islam has defined a special way for his departure; one which is imbued with full of honor, dignity and grace. We are ordered to bathe the mayyit in a manner wherein a living person would acquire purity; such scents as camphor are used in water which achieve cleanliness and fragrance. Thereafter, without resorting to waste, the deceased is shrouded in good, clean and neat clothes. This is followed by Salatul Jenazah wherein supplication is made for his forgiveness and blessing with intense feeling and sincerity. Thereafter with great respect, the mayyit is lowered into the grave and left unto the Mercy of Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala.
Necessary Advice for Those Performing Ghusl (Bathing)
- Ensure the place where bathing is to be performed offers complete privacy.
- It is best that one be in the state of wudhu (ablution) when performing the Ghusl.
- It is makruh (detestable) for any person in the state of janaabah, haidh or nifaas (classes of greater impurity) to bathe the deceased.
- It is forbidden to mention to other’s any signs of ‘aib (shortfall) which may be visible during the bathing of the deceased.
The Method of Ghusl (Bathing)
- The jenazah to be placed on a showering tray or on a platform upon which the ghusl is to be performed.
- The jenazah should be covered with a sheet of cloth at all times during the ghusl. Remove any items, clothing or hospital tags (if any) from the body.
- Massage the stomach gently. Wearing gloves, without viewing, wash both places of Istinja. It is impermissible to touch the aurat (private area) of another during his life, similar is the case after a person’s death. Therefore, put on gloves to wash the private area.
- Use a piece of wet cotton wool in a small roll to clean eyes, nose and front teeth.
- Perform wudhu without inserting water in the nostrils or mouth. The proper sequence is to wash: (1) the face (2) arms to the elbows (3) the head (4) feet up to the ankles.
- Clean the body with water and soap, starting from the head (hair, face and beard in men), then the upper right side of the body then the left side, after that the lower right side then the lower left
- For a female jenazah, her hair should be loosened, washed, combed, and be braided in three braids, and placed behind her back
- The washing should be done one time, or three times, or seven times, as needed
- Tilt the body to the left and clean the back with water and soap. Thereafter, tilt the body to the right side and wash the back in a similar manner.
- Lastly, pour camphor water from head to toe 3 times.
- Dry the body with clean towel. Ensure the aurat must be kept covered at all times.
- Prepare for shrouding
The Method of Shrouding (Kafan)
Shrouding should start immediately after washing the body of the deceased. It is recommended to use white sheets from inexpensive material. Extravagance is not recommended in the Kafan (Shroud). The material of the sheet should not have any stitching, not be silk, nor should any gold be used. The minimum shrouding is one cloth that covers the whole body. The perfect shroud for a male is three cloths and for a female is five cloths.
Once the deceased’s body is prepared and shrouded, the family members, close relatives and friends pay their last respect to the deceased by praying for the deceased. Thus, a general public announcement of the demised (jenazah) should have been made as it is the right of a deceased Muslim over those, he left behind on this earth to have them attending his funeral prayers. The Salatul Jenazah, which in reality is a du’a (prayer). This Salah does not consist of any ruku’ or sujud but has 4 takbir which take the place of 4 rakaat.
The Steps for Salatul Jenazah
- Recite the following Intention (Niat)
(For male jenazah)
اُصَلِّى عَلَى هٰذَا الْمَيِّتِ اَرْبَعَ تَكْبِيْرَاتٍ فَرْضَ الْكِفَايَةِ مَأْمُوْمًا لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
Usolli ‘Alaa Haadzal Mayyiti Arba’a Takbiraatin Fardhol Kifaayati Ma’muuman Lillahi Ta’ala
(For female jenazah)
اُصَلِّى عَلَى هٰذَا الْمَيِّتَةِ اَرْبَعَ تَكْبِيْرَاتٍ فَرْضَ الْكِفَايَةِ مَأْمُوْمًا لِلّٰهِ تَعَالَى
Usolli ‘Alaa Haadzihil Mayyitati Arba’a Takbiraatin Fardhol Kifaayati Ma’muuman Lillahi Ta’ala
- After the first Proclamation (Takbiratul Ihram), we recite Suratul Fatiha.
- After the second Takbir, invoke blessing upon the Prophet Muhammad (Sollahu Alaihi Wa Sallam):
اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ
Allahumma Solli ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammad
- After the third Takbir, invoke the following du’a on the deceased:
(For male jenazah)
اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ
Allahumagfirlahu Warhamhu Wa‘afiha Wa‘fu ’Anhu
(For female jenazah)
اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهَا وَارْحَمْهَا وَعَافِهَا وَاعْفُ عَنْهَا
Allahumagfirlaha Warhamha Wa‘afiha Wa‘fu ’Anha
- After the fourth Takbir, invoke the following du’a:
(For male jenazah)
اَللّٰهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ وَلاَ تَفْتِنَّا بَعْدَهُ وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهُ
Allahumma Laa Tahrimna Ajrohu Wa Laa Taftinna Ba’dahu Waghfirlana Wa Lahu
(For female jenazah)
اَللّٰهُمَّ لاَ تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهَا وَلاَ تَفْتِنَّا بَعْدَهَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلَهَا
Allahumma Laa Tahrimna Ajroha Wala Taftinna Ba’daha Waghfirlana Wa Laha
- Followed by Salam, right and left
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barokaatuh
The Process of Burial
Burial should take place immediately after the Salatul Jenazah is done. There should not be unnecessary delay. Upon arrival at the cemetery, family members to assist carrying the jenazah from the hearse van to the grave. Some knowledge regarding performing the burial process is essential to the immediate family members of the deceased.
Method of Lowering the Mayyit into the Grave
- The jenazah should be brought and placed at the side of the grave.
- Three or four people should descend into the grave to receive the jenazah from several people outside.
- When the jenazah is laid to rest, it is recommended to turn the whole body to its right side towards the Qiblah.
- Untie the strips of cloth and unveil the face of the jenazah. It is sunnah to place a piece of soil underneath the nose of the jenazah.
- After the jenazah is laid, the timber supports should be laid over it. Any openings along the sides should be closed with sods of soil.
- NEA representative will be using an excavator to fill up the grave with soil. Family members are to move away from the grave area while excavating is in process.
- Lastly followed by Talqin and du’a.
