Bathing the body

Equipment for washing and preparing bodies at Afaq khoja Mosque, Kashgar. 2010

The corpse is washed (ghusl, bathed), with the purpose to physically cleanse the deceased. The exact manner, method, style and accessories used for bathing the corpse may vary by locale and temporal position, except that it is to be done with heated water. Bathing the dead body is an essential ritual of the Sunnah of the Islamic prophet Muhammad,^[10] and therefore a part of the Islamic sharia. This should occur as soon as possible after death, preferably within hours.

Orthodox practice is to wash the body an odd number of times (at least once) with a cloth covering its awrah (parts of the body that should be hidden according to sharia).^[11]

The "washers" are commonly adult members of the immediate family, who are of the same gender as the deceased. In cases of violent deaths or accidents, where the deceased has suffered trauma or mutilation, morgue facilities mend the body and wrap it in a shroud to minimise fluid leakage prior to surrendering it to mourners for washing.

Shrouding

The corpse is typically wrapped in a simple plain cloth (the kafan). This is done to respect the dignity and privacy of the deceased with the family sometimes present. The specifics of this ritual, including the material, style, and colour of the cloth, may vary between regions. However, the shroud should be simple and modest. 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.^[12]

The body may be kept in this state for several hours, allowing well-wishers to pass on their respects and condolences.

Funeral prayer

After the announcement of death of the deceased person, the Muslims of the community gather to offer their collective prayers for the forgiveness of the dead. This prayer has been generally termed as the Salat al-Janazah (funeral prayer).

The Janazah prayer is as follows:

• Like Eid prayer, the Janazah prayer incorporates an additional (four)^[13] takbirs, the Arabic name for the phrase 'Allahu Akbar', but there is no ruku' (bowing) and sujud (prostrating).
• Supplication for the deceased and mankind is recited.
• In extraordinary circumstances, the prayer can be postponed and prayed at a later time as was done in the Battle of Uhud.^[9]
• The Janazah is considered fard kifaayah (communal obligation), meaning that only a few people have to do it, but everyone is considered sinful if no one prays it. It is prayed upon the death of an adult Muslim in the community.^[14][15]

Burial

Grave of a Muslim

Muslim men finishing a grave after a burial

Muslim cemetery, Kashgar.

Following washing, shrouding and prayer, the body is then taken for burial (al-Dafin). The exact manner, customs and style of the grave, the burial and so forth may vary by regional custom.

The grave should be perpendicular to the direction of the Qibla (i.e. Mecca) so that the body, placed in the grave without a coffin (merely wrapped in kafan) lying on its right side, faces the Qibla.^[16] Grave markers should be raised, not more than about 30 centimetres (12 in) above the ground, so that the grave will neither be walked nor sat on. Grave markers are simple, because outwardly lavish displays are discouraged in Islam. Graves are frequently marked only with a simple wreath, if at all. However, it is becoming more common for family members to erect grave monuments.

In Middle Eastern Muslim cultures, women are generally discouraged from participating in the funeral procession. The reason for this is that in pre-Islamic Arabia it was customary for grieving women to wail loudly. Wealthy families often even hired moirologists to attend the funerals of their deceased relative. Wailing at funerals is not permitted according to the Sahih Bukhari. Women are allowed to attend or be present if they do not wail or cry or hit themselves in grief, especially in an exaggerated excessive manner as in pre-Islamic Arabia.^[17]

Three fist-sized spheres of hand-packed soil prepared beforehand by the gravediggers are used to prop up the corpse, one under the head, one under the chin and one under the shoulder. The lowering of the corpse and positioning of the soil-balls is done by the next of kin. In the case of a deceased husband, a male brother or brother-in-law usually performs this task. In the case of a deceased wife, the husband undertakes this if physically able to. If the husband is elderly, then the eldest son (or son-in-law) is responsible for lowering, alignment and propping the deceased.

Orthodoxy expects those present to symbolically pour three handfuls of soil into the grave while reciting a Quranic verse meaning, "We created you from it, and return you into it, and from it we will raise you a second time".^[18] More prayers are then said, asking for forgiveness of the deceased, and reminding the dead of their profession of faith.

A Tatar Muslim cemetery

The corpse is then fully buried by the gravediggers, who may stamp or pat down the earth to shape. Commonly, the eldest male will supervise. After the burial, those gathered pay their last respects to the dead by collectively praying for the forgiveness of the dead. This collective prayer is the last formal one for the dead. In some cultures such as those in Southeast Asia, relatives scatter flowers and pour rosewater upon the grave before leaving.

Mourning

According to Sunni Islam, loved ones and relatives are to observe a four-day mourning period.^[19] Islamic mourning is observed by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry in accordance with the Qur'an.^[20] Widows observe an extended mourning period (iddah, "period of waiting"), four months and 10 days long.^[21] During that time, the widow is not to remarry or to interact with non-mahram (a man she can marry). This rule is to confirm that the woman is not pregnant with the deceased's child prior to remarrying. However, in case of emergencies such as visiting a doctor because of a health emergency, the widow can interact with non-mahram.

Grief at the death of a loved one and weeping for the dead is normal and acceptable.^[22]

Pre-Islamic practices of wailing were instrumental in illustrating the role that women played in Islam. The act of lamentation came to represent Jahiliya behavior, or contrary to ideal Islamic behavior according to Muhammad. Loud grieving was inappropriate and was a viewed as questioning God. Women were portrayed as emotional and unable to control themselves when grieving. However, later Muhammad lost his son, and established the difference between grieving and crying. Outward and loud grief was inappropriate, whereas crying was appropriate.^[23]

Sunni Islam expects expressions of grief to remain dignified, prohibiting loud wailing or mourning in a loud voice, shrieking, beating the chest and cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, breaking objects, scratching faces or speaking phrases that make a Muslim lose faith (such as challenging the power of God e.g. "If God exists and is just, he would not allow such injustice"). Grieving is allowed as part of the funerary rites to allow one to come to terms with the loss of a person passing away as long as it respects Allah.^[24]

Directives for widows

The Qur'an prohibits widows to engage themselves for four lunar months and ten days, after the death of their husbands. According to the Qur'an:

And those of you who die and leave widows behind, they should keep themselves in waiting for four months and ten days. Then when they have fulfilled their term, there is no blame on you about what they do with themselves in accordance with the norms [of society]. And Allah is well acquainted with what you do. And there is also no blame on you if you tacitly send a marriage proposal to these women or hold it in your hearts. Allah knows that you would definitely talk to them. [Do so] but do not make a secret contract. Of course you can say something in accordance with the norms [of the society]. And do not decide to marry until the law reaches its term. And know that Allah has knowledge of what is in your hearts; so be fearful of Him and know that Allah is Most forgiving and Most Forbearing.

— Quran 2:234–235

Islamic scholars consider this directive a balance between the mourning of a husband's death and the protection of a widow from cultural or societal censure if she became interested in remarrying after her husband's death, often an economic necessity.^[25] This provision also operates to protect the property rights of the unborn, as the duration is enough to ascertain whether a widow is pregnant or not.^[26]

Husbands are recommended to make a will in favor of their wives for the provision of one year's residence and maintenance, except if the wives themselves leave the house or take any other similar step. As stated in Qur'an:

And those of you who die and leave widows should bequeath for their widows a year's provision and [bequeath] that [in this period] they shall not be turned out of their residences; but if they themselves leave the residence, there is no blame on you for what they do with themselves according to the norms of society. And Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.

— Quran 2:240

Bibliography

• Ghamidi, Javed (2001). Mizan. Dar al-Ishraq. OCLC 52901690.
• Amin Ahsan Islahi, Tadabbur-i-Qur'an, 2nd ed., vol. 1, (Lahore: Faran Foundation, 1986)