Download Describe Funeral Practices

Describe Funeral Practices and how it expresses the beliefs of Islam by Joshua Quealy
The Funeral practices (Janazah) of Islam is very unique to the followers of the prophet
Muhammad. Funeral practices involve a complex ceremony which is carried out by
the loved ones of the deceased. Muslims believe that the present life is a trial in
preparation for the next realm of existence. The funeral ceremony expresses many
beliefs of Islam, however, there are minor variations between the Islamic variants of
Sunni and Shia. The key elements of the funeral practice include washing, shrouding,
praying burial and the morning practices.
All Muslims should try and recite the shahadah before they die, by affirming the
Kalima, that “there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet”. This is drawn
from the Hadith that “A person whose last words are the affirmation of Kalima, there
is no god save Allah, shall enter paradise”. They should face Mecca as they recite the
first pillar of faith. This stems from the Islamic belief that the soul departs the body
only when the two angles Munkar and Nakir visit the deceased in the grave and ask
three questions. “Who is your god?” “Who is your prophet?” “What is your religion?”
The soul is then taken to Barzakh until the Day of Resurrection. If the questions are
answered correctly the time will pass quickly and by pleasant so thus, reciting the
Shahada provides the individual with the answers to the questions they will face.
The deceased must be buried within 24 hours of their death as Muhammad said, “the
best form of respect for the dead is quick burial” (Hadith). There body has to be
washed (ghusl) with dignity and respect by people of the same sex or by the person’s
spouse. This process is carried from the right hand side of the body to the left. It is
washed three times with water and lotus leaves if available, and camphor should be
used for the last wash. Washing the body reminds everyone that cleanliness is
important before an encounter with Allah and the odd number of times signifies that
Allah is singular with no equals. Any imperfections noticed should not be discussed
as the Hadith states, “He who washes a dead body and keeps secret his knowledge of
its condition is forgiven by Allah 40 times”.
The deceased is then wrapped in a white cloth called a kafan, or if possible, their
white Hajj clothes. This is drawn from the Hadith when Muhammad said, “wear your
white garments, for they are among your best garments, and shroud your dead in
them”. Males are wrapped in three simple, unstitched white cloths like Muhammad
was and females in five cloths. The ihram clothes from the Hajj should be used if the
person has performed the pilgrimage as Muslims see death as another pilgrimage.
Once the body is washed, mourners pray for the dead at a funeral prayer site. The
prayer, called the Salat ul-Janazah, is led by an imam who faces the deceased, away
from the mourners. This is the same position Muhammad took during festivals. This
prayer is significant as Muhammad prayed when one of his companions died as he
told his people, “pray as you saw me pray” (Hadith). The imam states, Allah Akbar
(God is great) and reads the first sura of the Qur’an silently and prays for the
deceased.
The deceased is then buried without a coffin, on their right hand side facing the Qibla
(in the direction of the Ka’ba, Mecca). This reinforces the holiness of the Ka’ba and
its role in the history of Islam going back to Muhammad. This means that when the
individual is risen on the Day of Resurrection the body can rise and walk in the
direction they are facing. It is preferred that only men attend the burial site. They are
buried in a “Muslim only” part of the cemetery and cremation is strictly forbidden.
Sunni Muslims mirror the way the companions of the Prophet were buried and have
earth mounted over the grave site and forbid elaborate head stones. However, Shiite
Muslims consider this Hadith to be unauthentic and embrace elaborate headstones.
Morning practices following the day of the funeral involve mourners reciting versus
from the Qur’an and praying that the deceased will be successful in the interrogation
they will face from the angels so they can wait for the Day of Resurrection peacefully.
Both schools of thoughts agree that this mourning period should not exceed three
days. However, Sunni Muslims believe that mourners should avoid wailing and try to
remain calm as too much emotion may show a lack of trust in Allah. On the other
hand, Shiite Muslims believe that wailing and screaming are permissible. Finally, at
forty days Shiite Muslims have a sermon in commemoration of the dead, where they
recite verses from the Qur’an.
In conclusion, the Islamic funeral ceremony is a complex process that is significant
for both the individual and the community. For the deceased, it is the beginning of a
time of waiting for the Day or Resurrection while for the Islamic community, it is a
reminder that all humans will taste death as “Every one soul shall taste death”
(Qur’an). It signifies their departure from this life to the next life... add more
depending of what question is asked?
Significance of the funeral ceremony to the individual:
 By reciting the Shahada it prepares them for the questioning they face from the
two angels.
 They are buried facing Mecca, so when the body rises on the Day of
Resurrection the body can rise and walk in the direction they are facing.
Significance of the funeral ceremony to the individual:
 It is a reminder that everyone will taste death, “Every one soul shall taste
death” (Qur’an).
 The funeral ceremony enhances and strengthens the faith of the Islamic
community.