Burial Rituals

BOOK ID

Author(s): Muhammadhusein Kermali

Publisher(s): Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre

Category: Death and Dying

Topic Tags: Death Ghusl

point

Required actions before and immediately after death, during the Ghusl (washing the body), Kafan, and Salat al-Mayyit.

Introduction

Death is a reality. The Qur'an in says:

"Every person (nafs) will taste death, ....." (Surah 3:185)

(taste can be either sweet or bitter!).

At another place the Qur'an says,

"... no one knows (where) in what land (or place) he will die". (Surah 31:34)

Still at another place the Qur'an says,

"Allah does not give any breather (or let up) to anyone for death when its fixed time comes." (Surah 63:11)

Therefore, one should not dread death but take it as crossing the bridge from this temporary life to the permanent, everlasting life. So, what should be done when one is confronted with it? This is the topic for our discussion.

Rituals for Just before (Ehtezar) and Immediately After Death

point

Let us create a scenario in which you are sitting in front of a very sick friend or a relative whom you have come to visit. He/she is alone in the house. You are the only other person present. Suddenly you see him/her struggling for breath. He/she is taking his/her last breath! Dying! The color of his/her face is changing. He is said to be in Saqarat - the pain of death. Gradually, he/she stops breathing and is dead. What should you be doing as required by the Shariah while the person is in the course of dying and soon after death?

I am

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