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SALATUL JANAZAH
1. Define the following terms:
a) Qeerat: Huge rewards like a huge mountain
b) Kafan: Clean piece of white cloth wrapped over the dead body
c) Ghusl: Giving a wash to a dead body
d) Salatul Janazah: It means the funeral prayer. It is performed while standing.
e) Fard-ul-Kifayah: If a group of Muslims perform a particular act, the obligation
is removed from rest of the community. For Eg. Salatul Janazah.
2. What should Muslims do if one among them dies?
If a Muslim dies, he must first be given a ghusul. Then his body must be wrapped
with kafan and taken to the masjid for offering Salatul Janazah. After this, the body
must be buried respectfully in a Muslim cemetery.
3. On whom did the Prophet refuse to pray Salatul Janazah? Why?
The Prophet, peace be upon him, refused to pray Salatul Janazah for two categories
of people:
a) Those who committed suicide, and
b) Those who died while in debt until it was paid on their behalf.
Our Prophet (Peace be upon him) wanted to teach Muslims that 1) suicide is haram
and unacceptable of a Muslim 2) It is important to repay the loan before one dies.
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4. List five unacceptable practices that unfortunately sometimes occur during
funerals.
1) Screaming and yelling
2) Hitting oneself
3) Building a structure or tomb on the grave
4) Spending too much on the funeral arrangements
5) Paying someone to read the Qur’an.
5. How is Salatul Janazah performed?
Salatul Janazah is performed with four takbeers. As the entire prayer is offered
while standing in congregation, there is no Ruku, sujuud and juloos in this prayer.
After the first takbeer, Surah al Fatihah is recited.
After the second takbeer, Darood Ibraheem is recited.
After the third takbeer, the following special du’aa of forgiveness is recited:
The prayer is ended after the fourth takbeer with only one Tasleem, saying
Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah by turning to the right.
6. Write a hadeeth that describes the reward a Muslim gains when praying
Salatul Janazah and attending the funeral:
“Whoever follows a funeral procession and offers the prayer for the deceased will
gain a Qeerat of great reward. And if he follows the funeral until the deal person is
buried he will be rewarded two Qeerats.”
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Abu Hurayrah was asked, “What are the two Qeerats” He answered” Great rewards
like two huge mountains.”
7. Write a hadeeth that describes what helps the dead after death:
“When the son of Adam dies, he will not be able to do good deeds anymore.
However, he will continue to receive rewards due to the following: running
charity, beneficial knowledge he taught to others, and a good son or daughter who
makes duaa for him”.
8. Is praying Salatul janazah obligatory? Please explain your answer as to
why or why not.
Salatul Janazah is Fard-ul-Kifayah, obligatory on a Group.
If a group of Muslims perform it, then the rest of the community is not obliged to
do it again. And if no one performs it, then all Muslims will share the burden.
9. What is the importance of Salatul Janazah?
It is important because it reminds us that:
1. This world (dunya) is not permanent.
2. We have come from Allah and we go back to Allah.
3. It is important to seek forgiveness for the dead.
4. It is necessary to bury a dead Muslim according to Islamic faith and practice.
5. When a person dies, he takes along with him nothing except his Imaan and good
deeds.
6. We must remember about our death as it can strike us anytime.
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LIFE IN THE GRAVE
1. Define the following terms:
1. Al Qabr: The grave which is the first step to Resurrection.
2. Naeemul Qabr: The rewards and enjoyments received by the believers in the
grave.
3. Athaabul Qabr: The punishments given to the disbelievers and the sinful
Muslims in the grave.
4. Malak al Mawt: The Angel of Death who is in charge of taking the soul at its
appointed time.
5. Al Barzakh: A Barrier between the Life in the grave and Resurrection.
2. Not all people are buried the Islamic way. Some are cremated and some
bodies are not found. Do you think that these individuals experience life in the
grave? Please support your answer with an explanation of why or why not.
Life in the grave is experienced by the soul, not the body. So it doesn’t matter
whether the dead body is cremated or thrown into the sea or buried. Punishment or
Reward is given to the soul, so the soul experiences life in the grave.
3. What are some differences between a Muslim cemetery and a non-Muslim one?
A Muslim cemetery will not have fancy graves like those that are otherwise found
in a non-Muslim cemetery. Also, there is no place reserved for anyone as the
Muslim graveyard is common to all irrespective of the rich or poor.
As Muslims bury their dead ones, a Muslim cemetery will be greener and cleaner.
4. Loud weeping at cemeteries is not aloud. Why do you think that is?
Weeping loudly shows indiscipline and disrespect to the Almighty’s will. It also
shows lack of patience on one’s part. Moreover, it disturbs the peaceful
atmosphere of the cemetery causing additional distress to others around.
5. Why was visiting the graves forbidden at the beginning of Islam?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was afraid that people would worship the
graves or set up statues on them.
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6. Islam encourages Muslims to visit graveyards often. Why do you think that is?
It is for two basic purposes:
a) To make du’aa for the dead Muslims and
b) To remember death and develop the feeling that this world is temporary and that
one has leave one day.
7. Which Surah did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encourage
Muslims to recite every day in order to protect oneself from the punishment of the
grave?
Surah al Mulk.
8. What is the first thing that happens in the grave?
Two angels, Munkar and Nakeer, sawaken the dead and begin their questioning.
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