Illustrated Janazah guide
Creator: Mohamed Ebrahim Siala
Date: 2007-08-11
Format: text
Identifier: http://web.archive.org/web/20050414173202/isgkc.org/janazah_guide.htm
Language: en
Subject: death
Title: Illustrated Janazah guide
Created on: Sat Aug 11 12:04:48 -0400 2007
Updated on: Sat Aug 11 12:04:48 -0400 2007
Version: 1
Abstract: ... said : " It is a mercy that Allah made in the hearts of his servants" (Bukhari). Relatives of a deceased Muslim may mourn him for three days only, but a widow may mourn her husband four months and ten days. This is due to Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who said : " It is prohibited for a woman who believes in Allah and the day of judgment to mourn any dead person more than three days except her husband four months and ten days " (Bukhari). This period is called the Edda (Waiting period) which is prescribed by Allah in the Quran (2 : 234). C) AL-GHUSUL ( WASHING THE DEAD MUSLIM ) When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of his family or other Muslims to wash him according to the Islamic rites of washing the deceased. Two or three persons may perform the washing. The person(s) who may wash the deceased should : Be a trustworthy, and honest adult Muslim(s). Know the Islamic way of washing the dead and be able to carry out the washing. Not make any comment on the body of the deceased. NOTE: If the deceased is a male, then ONLY males should wash him. If the deceased is a female, then ONLY females should wash her. For a married person, the spouse may perform the washing. For a child, either males or females may do the washing. PLACE OF WASHING : The deceased’s body should be washed in a clean, secluded, and private place where clean water and soap are available. Gloves or pieces of cloth are needed. The body of the deceased should be washed with water and, if available, lotus leaves, or camphor (To be used in the final wash). The washing should be done three or five, or any more odd number of times if necessary. STEPS OF WASHING : The body of the deceased should be placed on a table or alike, the deceased’s clothes should be removed , and the body should be covered with a sheet of cloth. The head and the upper body should be raised slightly to insure the washing water with exudations from the body flows down and does not run back to the body. The Aura (Private parts) of the deceased should be covered with a piece of cloth (The Aura of a male is from the belly button to the knee in the presence of males, for the female is the same in the presence of females). The washer should start washing by saying:" Bismil - lah "," In the name of Allah ". The washer winds a piece of cloth around his hand, and with this he cleans away any impurities from the body using water. Then he should dispose of this piece. The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand, press lightly the stomach of the deceased so as so to expel, if possible, any remnants from it, and then wash the body of all impurities using water. Then he should dispose this piece of cloth. The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand (May use gloves), and wash the covered private parts, then dispose of this piece of cloth. The washer should perform Wudu (Ablution) on the deceased without inserting the water in the nose and in the mouth. The washer should clean the body with water and soap (If available), starting from the head (hair, face and beard {Men}), then the upper right side of the body then the left side, after that the lower right side then the lower left. In the case of a female, her hair should be loosened, washed, combed, and be braided in three braids, and placed behind her back. The washing should be done three times, or five times, or seven times, as needed, providing that after washing the head, wash the right side before the left, and the upper parts before the lower ones. In the last wash, the washer may use camphor, or some perfume with the water. After that the body should be dried with clean towel. Then the body should be totally covered with a white sheet. Get ready to start the shrouding. SPECIAL NOTE : In case the deceased is a female in her menstrual period or have child birth bleeding, padding should be used to prevent blood from leaving the body. NOTE: It is recommended that those who performed the washing should take a bath . It is recommended that those who performed the washing should make Wudu. All of this is based on authentic Hadith that Um Atiyah narrated that: " When the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) died, he instructed us:‘ Wash her three times, or more than that if you feel it is necessary, with water and sidr(good smelling leaves), and then after the last wash apply some camphor to the body , then loosen her hair, wash it, comb it, and make it in three braids laid behind her back " (Bukhari & Muslim). NOTE: There is no Islamic teaching of reading the Quran during the Ghusul. There is no Islamic teaching of making special dthiker (Certain words to remember Allah) during the Ghusul. D) AL-KAFAN ( SHROUDING THE DEAD MUSLIM ) Shourding should start Just after washing the body of the deceased. It is recommended to use white sheets from inexpensive material. Extravagance is not recommended in the Kafan (Shroud). Aisha relates that : " When the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) died, he was shrouded in three white sheets from Yemen" (Bukhari & Muslim). THE KAFAN OF A MALE The Kafan of a male should consist of three white winding sheets about{7 x 7 feet}, clean and large enough to conceal the whole body, after having been perfumed with incense. Use 4 tie ropes, each 7 feet long ( Figure (1) ). The material of the sheet should not be silk, nor should any gold be used. STEPS OF SHROUDING : The winding sheets should be spread out one on the top of the other . The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on his back on the winding sheets. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet. If it is possible the deceased’s left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer). The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. The third and the largest sheet should be treated the same way. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body. 2.THE KAFAN OF A FEMALE The Kafan of a female should consist of five white garments, (Two winding sheet, a long loose sleeveless shirt {From shoulder to feet}, a waist wrapper, and a head veil ), these should be large enough to cover the whole body and may be perfumed with incense, a loin cloth may be used to bind the upper part of her legs, use 4 tie ropes, each one is 7 feet long ( Figure (2) ). STEPS OF SHROUDING : The garments are spread out ( First: winding sheets {7 x 7 feet}, Second: the long loose sleeveless shirt {3 1/2 x 14 feet, with a hole in the middle line for the head}, Third: waist wrapper {6 feet x 3 1/2 feet }, Fourth head veil {a 4x4 square feet white sheet}, and Fifth: the loin cloth {12 inches wide x 4 feet long} ). The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on her back on the shroud. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet. The loin cloth is bound round her upper legs (Acts like underwear). The waist wrapper is tied in place. Put on the sleeveless shirt (Long to cover the body from the shoulder to the feet) . Put the head veil. The deceased’s left hand should be placed on her chest, then put her right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer). The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body. NOTE: There is no Islamic teaching of writing any thing on the shrouds. E) SALATUL JANAZAH (THE FUNERAL) A divine service is held over the dead body of every Muslim, young or old, even of infants who have lived only a few minutes. When the soul leaves the body, preparations are made for bidding him the last farewell. It is highly recommended that, after washing and shrouding the body of the deceased, the body not to be kept long, but rather taken quickly, prayed for, and then buried. Salatul Janazah is required to be performed in congregation to request pardon for the deceased and all dead Muslims, and to wrap them all in Allah’s Mercy. It is preferable that Salatul Janazah be performed outside the Mosque or the Musalla (Prayer room), like in activity rooms or courtyards. Salatul Janazah is a collective obligation. A Muslim should not hesitate to participate in it, whether or not the deceased or his relatives are known to him. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " If a Muslim dies and forty Muslims, who do not associate anything with Allah , join in the Salatul Janazah, Allah accepts their prayers for him." ( Muslim ). Salatul Janazah is said silently, except the Takbeer and Tassleem. All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah. There is a reward for attending Salatul Janazah for both the deceased and those who make the Salat according to the following Hadith. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Who ever attends the Janazah until it is finished, will earn a Qirat, and who ever stays until the burial, will earn two Qirats. Someone asked: What does Qirat mean ? , the Prophet answered :‘It means rewards as big as great mountain" ( Bukhari & Muslim ). There are specific times when it is prohibited to perform Salatul Janazah, unless it becomes necessary, due to the condition of the body, to perform it quickly and then bury the body. This is due to the Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) who forbade us to pray, or bury our dead during these specified times (Muslim). These prohibited times are : From sunrise until the sun is fully risen, At the zenith of the sun (the sun at meridian), until it passes the meridian, From when the sun pales before sunset until it has set. STEPS OF SALATUL JANAZAH It is preferable that Salatul Janazah be performed outside the Mosque / the Musalla. All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah. Muslims should form a minimum of three lines facing the Qiblah. The one who leads the Salat is the leader or his deputy, or the deceased’s father. If there is only one Muslim with the Imam, he should stand behind the Imam. The body (ies) should be placed in front of the person who leads the prayer. In case there are more than one dead Muslim (Males and females), then the female(s) should be placed in the first row(s) in the direction of the Qiblah, then the male(s) in the following row(s), then the Imam. For example : If there are : a dead Muslim male, a female, a young girl, and a young boy, then behind the Qiblah, first place the body of the young girl, then the adult female, then the young boy, then the adult male, so the bodies are arranged in a way that females’ bodies are first, then the males ( Figure (3) ). Figure (3) Figure (4) Figure (5) The Imam should stand by the middle of a female body, and by the head for a male body, this is due to the Hadith in which Anas related that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) leading Salatul Janazah for a dead male, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) stood in front of the deceased head, and for a dead female, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) stood in front of the midlle of her body.( Authentic-Abu Dawood). In another Hadith Samura ben Jundub said when Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) made Salatul Janazah for a dead Muslim female, he stood in front of her waist (Muslim) ( Figure (4), (5) ). Behind the Imam, males stand in lines, then children, then females (Figure (3),(4),(5)). There are NO Rukuh, Sujud, Athan, or Eqama. Having the appropriate neeyah (Intention), raise your hands in the usual manner and say : " Alla-who Akbar ". Fold your right hand over the left hand in the usual manner. Recite the Fatiha silently . Then say : "Alla-who Akbar". Then recite the Tashahood . The Tashahood is :- ( Allahumma sallee ala-Muhammad wa’ala alee Muhammad kama sallayta ala Ibrahim wa ala alee Ibrahim, wa barik ala Muhammad wa’ala alee Muhammad kama barakta ala Ibrahim wa ala alee Ibrahim, innaka hamidun Majeed). This means : " O Allah! Grant peace to Muhammad and his family as you did to Ibrahim and his family. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his family as you blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly you are Most Glorious and Most Praiseworthy". Then say : " Alla-who Akbar ". Then make dua’ (Supplicate) for the deceased. Then say: " Alla-who Akbar ". Then make dua (Supplicate) for all dead Muslims. In the case of a dead baby or young child, make dua (Supplicate) for his parents. Then say : " Assalamu alykum ", like you say in other Salats. Tasleem could be said only once. NOTE: Salatul Janazah for the one who died far away is allowed. There is no Islamic teaching of putting the picture of the deceased or some of his clothes or flowers in front of or around the Kafan ( Shroud). To use a coffin (Box) is not allowed, unless there is necessity to use it, such as the body of the deceased is damaged, or for health reasons, or when the grave is wet and cannot be dried. F) FOLLOWING THE JANAZAH After Salatul Janazah, the deceased should be transferred to the Muslim cemetery. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Visit the sick and walk with the Janazah, it will remind you of the hereafter"(Muslim). It is recommended for those following the Janazah on foot to keep behind or either on the right or on the left of those who are carrying the body. They should walk calmly, quietly, and not crowd or push others who are carrying the deceased. Following the Janazah with incense or candles, mentioning Allah’s name loudly, weeping loudly or reading Quran, playing music, or carrying the body of the deceased on a military car, all are not allowed when escorting the body of the deceased. The reward of Janazah prayer and following the Janazah until the burial is finished is explained in the following Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who said : " Whoever attends the Janazah until it is finished, will earn a Qirat, and who ever stays until the burial, will earn two Qirats. Someone asked: What a Qirat means ? , the Prophet answered :’ It means rewards as big as a great mountain" ( Bukhari & Muslim ). G) AL-DAFIN ( BURIAL ) Islam has a unique style of building graves and cemeteries that is characterized by humility, simplicity and economy in costs and that avoids glorifying the dead with elaborate monuments. It is of great importance that a special cemetery be devoted exclusively for the use of Muslims. Muslims may not be buried in the cemeteries of non-Muslims, nor can non-Muslims be buried in a Muslim cemetery. The deceased should be buried in the locality in which he lived. It is undesirable to take the body to the person’s own country or to another city. In Muslim cemeteries, there are two types of graves : Al-Shaqq : is to make a deep vertical hole in the ground. Al-Lahed : is to make a deep vertical hole in the ground, then in the bottom make a side horizontal hole big enough to cover the whole body. Both types are used, but it is preferable to use Al-Lahed if the land is solid ( Figure (6) ). Figure (6) The burial should be done as soon as possible after death, but the following times should be avoided : At night. From sunrise until the sun is fully risen. At the zenith of the sun (The sun at the meridian), until it passes the meridian. When the sun pales before sunset until it has set. During these times burying is prohibited unless there is an urgent necessity, according to the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) that was narrated by (Muslim). STEPS OF BURIAL : A grave is dug deep enough to totally hide the body of the deceased. The grave should be always perpendicular ( Horizontal) to the direction of Qiblah. Only men are allowed to attend the burial. All Muslims who are present should remember death, the hereafter, and that one day he too will be buried. They should keep quiet ( No talking unless it is necessary ). The deceased’s male relatives are expected to put the body in the grave, putting the body in the grave should be carried out only by Muslim men.. A female is placed in her grave either by her husband, her sons, her father, her brothers, or her uncle. The deceased’s body should be entered to the grave from the direction where his feet will be ( From the rear of the grave ) ( Figure (7) ). How to enter the body into the grave Front Rear Figure ( 7) Those who enter the body of the deceased in the grave should say : (Bismil llah wa ala millati rasulil llah), which means : " In the name of Allah and in the faith of the Messenger of Allah ". The deceased’s body should rest on his right side, and should be close to the wall and supported so that the body will not fall back, the deceased’s face should be towards the Qiblah.( Figure (6),(8) ). ... [Full Article...]
