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{{Short description|Islamic burial custom}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}{{Fiqh |etiquette}}
[[File:Islamic funerary limestone Malta.jpeg|thumb|Islamic funerary found at the [[Domvs Romana]] in [[Rabat, Malta|Rabat]], [[Malta]] – {{c.|11th century}}]]

'''Islamic funerals''' ({{langx|ar|جنازة|Janāzah}}) follow fairly specific [[Ritual#Islam|rite]]s, though they are subject to regional interpretation and variation in custom. In all cases, however, [[sharia]] (Islamic [[religious law]]) calls for [[burial]] of the body as soon as possible. The deceased is first bathed and shrouded with simple white cloth. Then a funeral prayer, [[Funeral prayer (Islam)|Salat al-jinazah]], is recited. [[Cremation]] of the body is strictly forbidden in Islam and the body is buried without a casket and the head faces Mecca. Mourning for the deceased is observed for three days except for the widow who mourns for 4 months and 10 days.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Jahangir |first1=Mohmad S. |last2=Hamid |first2=Wasia |date=2022 |title=Mapping Mourning Among Muslims of Kashmir: Analysis of Religious Principles and Current Practices |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0030222820911544 |journal=OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying |language=en |volume=84 |issue=3 |pages=725–745 |doi=10.1177/0030222820911544 |pmid=32164481 |issn=0030-2228|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Bioethics for clinicians: 21. Islamic bioethics: The cases, Case 1 |volume = 164|issue = 1|pages = 60–63|quote=Mutilation, and thus cremation, is strictly prohibited in Islam. |journal=Abdallah S. Daar and A. Khitamy |date=9 January 2001 |pmc = 80636|last1 = Daar|first1 = A. S.|last2 = Khitamy|first2 = A.|pmid = 11202669}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://rogersfrankfort.com/18/Cremation-Services.html |title=Cremation Services |quote=In eastern religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism cremation is mandated, while in Islam it is strictly forbidden. |access-date=2019-02-09}}</ref>

== Preparing the body ==

=== Initial prayer ===
Upon news of the deceased, it is common that a prayer is recited from the Quran, [https://quran.com/en/al-baqarah/156 Chapter 2, verse 156] - "Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed, to Him we return."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-16 |title=Islamic Burial Practices & Funerals |url=https://www.betterplaceforests.com/blog/islamic-burial-practices/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=www.betterplaceforests.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Bathing===
[[File:Equipment for washing and preparing bodies at Afaq khoja Mosque, Kashgar. 2010.jpg|thumb|Equipment for washing and preparing bodies at Afaq khoja Mosque, [[Kashgar]]. 2010]]
The [[Cadaver|corpse]] is washed ({{transliteration|ar|[[ghusl]]}}, bathed) by family members or individuals of the same gender of the deceased. The exact manner, method, style and accessories used for bathing the corpse may vary by locale and [[Time|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 [[Prophets of Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad]] symbolizing physical and spiritual purification.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Rahman |first=Fazlur |title=Islamic methodology in history |year=1995 |pages=78-82}}</ref><ref>Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.344 Volume 2, Book 23, Number 344-358] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.344 |date=2010-08-19 }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Abdel Haleem |first1=M. A. S. |title=The Qur'an |last2=Abdel Haleem |first2=M. A. S. |date=2008 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-953595-8 |edition=2010 reprint with corrections |location=Oxford}}</ref> 

Orthodox practice is to wash the body an odd number of times (at least once) with a cloth covering its {{transliteration|ar|[[awrah]]}} (parts of the body that should be hidden according to sharia).<ref>{{cite web|last=Nesa|first=Baduroon|title=The Washing and Shrouding of the Deceased|url=http://www.aljazeerah.info/Islam/Islamic%20subjects/2004%20subjects/May/The%20Washing%20and%20Shrouding%20of%20the%20Deceased.htm|work=Al-Jazeerah.nfo|publisher=Dr. Hassan Ali El-Najjar|access-date=17 February 2012}}</ref>

===Shrouding===
After bathing, the body is wrapped in simple white cloth (known as {{transliteration|ar|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. It is for this reason that [[Muslim]]s 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. Overall, this process is part of the Islamic principle of that all individuals are buried in the same manner and God views all as equal.<ref>Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.353 Volume 2, Book 23, Number 353-358] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.353 |date=2010-08-19 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=What everyone needs to know about Islam |date=2002 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-515713-0 |editor-last=Esposito |editor-first=John L. |location=Oxford New York}}</ref>

If a Muslim dies without any family or friends to carry out the bathing and shrouding rituals, elders in the Muslim community arrange for the rites to be completed.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gatrad |first=A R |date=1994-08-20 |title=Muslim customs surrounding death, bereavement, postmortem examinations, and organ transplants |journal=BMJ |language=en |volume=309 |issue=6953 |pages=521–523 |doi=10.1136/bmj.309.6953.521 |issn=0959-8138 |pmc=2542725 |pmid=7848419}}</ref>

== Funeral prayer ==
{{Main article|Funeral prayer (Islam)}}
After the announcement of death of the deceased persons, 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 {{transliteration|ar|[[Salat al-Janazah]]}} (funeral prayer).

The Janazah prayer is as follows:
* Like [[Eid prayer]], the {{transliteration|ar|Janazah}} prayer incorporates an additional (four)<ref>Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.404 Volume 2, Book 23, Number 404] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.404 |date=2010-08-19 }}</ref> {{transliteration|ar|[[takbir]]}}s, the [[Arabic language|Arabic]] name for the phrase {{transliteration|ar|'Allahu Akbar'}}, but there is no {{transliteration|ar|[[ruku']]}} (bowing) and {{transliteration|ar|[[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.<ref name="pray">Ghamidi, [http://www.renaissance.com.pk/DecIslaw2y5.htm Various types of the prayer] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923144205/http://www.renaissance.com.pk/DecIslaw2y5.htm|date=2013-09-23}}</ref>
* The Janazah is considered [[Fard|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.<ref>Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.359 Volume 2, Book 23, Number 359] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.359 |date=2010-08-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Saalih Al-Munajjid |first1=Shaykh Muhammad |title=The funeral prayer is fard kifaayah |url=https://islamqa.info/en/answers/14040/the-funeral-prayer-is-fard-kifaayah |website=IslamQA |access-date=4 July 2023}}</ref>

== Funeral services ==
[[File:Muslim grave.jpg|thumb|Grave of a Muslim]]
[[File:Burial Grave.jpg|thumb|Muslim men finishing a grave after a burial]]
[[File:Muslim cemetery. Kashgar.jpg|thumb|Muslim cemetery, [[Kashgar]].]]

Following washing, shrouding and prayer, the body is then taken for burial ({{transliteration|ar|al-Dafin}}). Burial typically occurs as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of death, to honor the deceased and prevent undue delay.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Sachedina |first=Abdulaziz Abdulhussein |title=The Islamic roots of democratic pluralism |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-532601-7 |location=Oxford New York}}</ref> However, customs of the burial may vary depending on one's sect of Islam. Muslims typically try their best to follow hadith regarding proper grave burial procedures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 4: Burial |url=https://www.islamicstudies.info/subjects/fiqh/fiqh_us_sunnah/fus4_63.html |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=www.islamicstudies.info}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sahih Bukhari, Book 23: Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz) |url=https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/hadith/bukhari/023_sbt.html |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=www.iium.edu.my}}</ref> Some traditions of Islam permit only men to attend funeral services.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.368 Volume 2, Book 23, Number 368] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.368 |date=2010-08-19 }}</ref>

The grave should be perpendicular to the direction of the [[Qibla]] (i.e. [[Mecca]]). Islam doesn't use coffins in burial, instead, stones or wood are placed at the bottom where the body will rest. The body is placed in the grave on its right side facing the Qibla.<ref>{{Cite book|last=al-Misri|first=Ahmad ibn Naqib|title=Reliance of the Traveler (edited and translated by [[Nuh Ha Mim Keller]]|publisher=Amana Publications|year=1994|pages=238–239|isbn=0-915957-72-8}}</ref> Once the body is placed, each attendee places three handfuls of soil on top to fill the grave accompanied by a prayer.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite quran|20|55|style=nosup}}; compare "Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return" ({{bibleverse|Genesis|3:19}})</ref> The grave is kept simple and Islamic tradition doesn't call for a tombstone; a small marker can be placed to identify the grave site.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Esposito |first=John L. |title=What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam |date=2011 |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |isbn=978-0-19-979413-3 |edition=2nd |location=Oxford}}</ref><ref name=":0" />[[File:C0566-Kstovo-Muslim-cemetery.jpg|thumb|A [[Tatars|Tatar]] Muslim cemetery]]

== Mourning ==
[[File:Funeral Haji Sahib Bhatyas.jpg|thumb|A large crowd gathered in 2015 for funeral of [[Alhaj Ghulam Qadir Ganipuri]] at [[Bhalessa]]]]
Grief at the death of a loved one and weeping for the dead is normal and acceptable.<ref>Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.391 Volume 2, Book 23, Number 391] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.391|date=2010-08-19}}</ref> According to [[Sunni Islam]], the [[mourning]] period is to be three days except for [[widows]] who have an extended period.<ref>Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.369 Volume 2, Book 23, Number 369–371] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.369 |date=2010-08-19 }}</ref> Islamic mourning is observed by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry in accordance with the [[Qur'an]].<ref>{{Cite quran|2|234|style=nosup}}</ref> Widows must observe {{transliteration|ar|[[iddah]]}}, "period of waiting" which is four months and 10 days long.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html |title=CRCC: Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement: Resources: Religious Texts |access-date=2010-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.370 |archive-date=2010-08-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 

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 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.<ref>Sahih Muslim [http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.375 Volume 2, Book 23, Number 375–393] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123140/http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/hadith/bukhari/023.sbt.html#002.023.375 |date=2010-08-19 }}</ref>

=== Widows ===
As stated in the Qur'an, [[widow]]s are to observe a longer mourning period ([[iddah]]) of four [[lunar month]]s and ten days.<ref name=":3" /> 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.<ref>Islahi (1986), p. 546</ref> 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.<ref>Shehzad Saleem. ''[http://www.renaissance.com.pk/Marislaw2y4.html The Social Directives of Islam: Distinctive Aspects of Ghamidi's Interpretation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403024603/http://www.renaissance.com.pk/Marislaw2y4.html|date=2007-04-03}}'', [[Al-Mawrid|Renaissance]]. March, 2004</ref>
{{Quote|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.| {{Cite quran|2|234|end=235|style=nosup}}}}

== Charity and supplication ==
Charity ([[sadaqah]]) and supplications ([[Dua|du'a]]) are integral to the funeral practices. Acts of charity on behalf of the deceased are believed to benefit the deceased's soul.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />

==See also==
* [[Islamic view of death]]
* [[Burial at sea#Islam|Burial at sea in Islam]]
* The [[Majmuna Stone]], a 12th-century Islamic marble tombstone
* [[Wadi-us-Salaam]], an Islamic cemetery and the largest cemetery in the world
* [[Pocong]], a ghost shrouded in ''kafan'' from [[Folklore of Indonesia|Javanese folklore]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*

==External links==
{{Commons category|Islamic funerals}}
* [http://www.funeralwise.com/customs/islam/ Funeral Wise: Islamic Funeral Customs and Service Rituals]
* [https://archive.today/20140402041524/http://www.14publications.com/lectures/exhuming-the-body-of-my-dead-sister/ Cases where exhumation are allowed, according to Ja'fari fiqh: Exhuming the body of my dead sister]
* [http://www.findergrave.com/2016/06/bathing-and-clothing-as-islam-death.html Islam Death Rituals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702031727/http://www.findergrave.com/2016/06/bathing-and-clothing-as-islam-death.html |date=2 July 2017 }}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Islamic Funeral}}
[[Category:Funerals]]
[[Category:Islamic jurisprudence]]
[[Category:Islam and death]]
[[Category:Sharia]]