Funeral rituals in Islam

Funerals in Islam follow specific rituals there are calls for burial of the body preceded by a simple ritual involving bathing the body followed by prayer, enshrouding and cremation of the body is forbidden.
1- Bathing the deceased

The body is washed, the purpose is to physically cleanse the corpse.It is said that it is done in a rubbing manner with warm water and within hours of death. Bathing the dead body is an essential ritual of the Sunnah of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and therefore a part of the Islamic Sharia. This should occur as soon as possible after death, preferably within hours. This practice is to wash the body an odd number of times with a cloth hiding the awrah which are parts of the body that should be hidden according to Sharia. The "washers" are adult members of the immediate family and of the same gender as the deceased.

2- Enshrouding the deceased

The body is typically wrapped in a simple plain cloth which is known as the kafan. This is done to respect the dignity and privacy of the deceased with the family sometimes present. However, the shroud should be simple. It is for this reason that Muslims have generally preferred to use white cotton cloth to serve as the shroud. Men may use only three pieces of cloth and women five pieces of cloth.

3- Funeral prayer

The Muslims gather to offer their collective prayers for the forgiveness of the dead. This prayer has been generally termed as the Salat al-Janazah (Janazah prayer). The Janazah prayer is four takbirs, the Arabic name for the phrase Allah Akbar, but there is no Ruku (bowing) and Sujud (prostrating). Supplication for the deceased and Muslim mankind is recited. Dogma states it is obligatory for every Muslim adult male to perform the funeral prayer upon the death of any Muslim, but the dogma embraces the practical in that it qualifies, when Janazah is performed by the few it alleviates that obligation for all.

4- Burial

The deceased is then taken for burial (al-Dafin). The grave should be aligned perpendicular to the Qibla. The body is placed in the grave without a casket, lying on its right side, and facing the Qibla. Grave markers are simple, because outwardly lavish displays are discouraged in Islam. Many times graves may even be unmarked, or marked only with a simple wreath. In Middle Eastern cultures women are generally discouraged from participating in the funeral procession. The reason for this is that in pre-Islamic Arabia it was customary in Arabia for grieving women to wail loudly. Wealthy families often even hired 'wailers' to attend the funerals of their deceased relative. Wailing at funerals is not permitted according to the Sahih Bukhari. Three fist-sized spheres of hand-packed soil (prepared beforehand by the gravediggers) are used as props, one under the head, one under the chin and one under the shoulder. The lowering of the body, and positioning of the soil-balls is done by the next of kin. In the case of a departed husband, the male brother or brother-in-law usually performs this task. In the case of a departed wife, the husband undertakes this (if physically able). If the husband is elderly, then the eldest male son (or son-in-law) is responsible for lowering, alignment and propping the departed. Pour three handfuls of soil into the grave while reciting a Quranic verse in Arabic meaning "We created you from it, and return you into it, and from it We will raise you a second time". More prayers are then said, asking for forgiveness of the deceased, and reminding the dead of their profession of faith. The body is then fully buried by the gravediggers, who may stamp or pat down the grave to shape. After the burial, the Muslims who have gathered to pay their respects to the dead, collectively pray for the forgiveness of the dead. This collective prayer is the last formal collective prayer for the dead.


5- Mourning

Loved ones and relatives are to observe a 3-day mourning period. Islamic mourning is observed by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry in accordance with the Qur'an. Widows observe an extended mourning period (iddah, period of waiting), 3 months and 10 days long. During that time, the widow is not to remarry or to interact with na-mahram (with whom she can marry). Grief at the death of a beloved person is normal, and weeping for the dead (by males or females) is perfectly acceptable in Islam.