R3SPECT FUNERALS

There are 6 beliefs in Islamic faith. Namely, Muslims must believe in:

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(1) One God

(2) His Prophets

(3) His sacred Books 

(4) His Angels

(5) His Decrees

(6) the Final Judgment.

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The 6th belief: The Final Judgment

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Islamic doctrine holds that there is life after physical death of the body in the form of spiritual and physical resurrection. The afterlife is either a reward or punishment depending on conduct on Earth. God will judge everyone justly and cast them into Jannah جنّة (Paradise) or Jahannam جهنّم ( Hell).

 

Rejecting the belief that there is an afterlife renders all other beliefs meaningless. God’s creation will be reminded for their earthly good deeds and sins.  The believers will be forgiven when the admit their wrongdoings.  Nonbelievers are believed to be punished despite their good deeds, due to the greatest sin of disbelief. This is still being subjected to scholarly discussion.

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There are very specific steps to death preparation according to the Islamic faith. Some of which includes detaching oneself from all earthly attachments such as material possessions and becoming wholeheartedly involved in conducting the five pillars of Islam.

 

More information can be found here.

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Rituals before Death and immediately after Death

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• Before the Death, During the Saqarat ul Mawt

  • Move dying person to face Qibla in such a position that the soles of feet face Qibla. In other words, if he/she were to sit upright his/her face would face Qibla.

  • Recite the Shahada and make him/her repeat it.

  • Recite Surah Yasin, Wassafat, Ayatul Qursi and other Ayats from the Qur'an to ease the moments of Saqarat.

• Right after Death, the Saqarat ul Mawt

  • Close person’s eyelids and mouth.

  • Stretch his/her arms along his/her sides and straighten legs.

  • Cover body with a sheet of cloth.

  • Ensure lights are switched on.

  • Inform his/her Wali or next of kin (if wali is not present) to come immediately.

  • Arrange for funeral immediately.

  • Recite the Qur'an until the body is taken away for Ghusl Mayyit.

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• Embalming and cremation is not allowed.

• Viewing or visitation before a Muslim funeral is not allowed. When a Muslim dies, the burial is immediate, thus there is no viewing before the funeral.