The Death

The Islamic Burial Institute Al Rahma specializes in conducting the burial of a deceased quickly and in accordance with Islamic practices.

Our staff, with high professionalism, strive to carry out an Islamic-compliant burial. This includes the Islamic ritual washing of the deceased, which our employees, trained specifically in the field of Islamic ritual washing, perform with great care.

We have prepared a brief description of the Islamic ritual washing for you:

The deceased is undressed while the private parts are covered with an opaque cloth (Sutra). The private parts must not be visible, as this is prohibited (Haram) in Islam. For a man, it extends from the navel to the knees, and for a woman, it extends from the neck to the ankles.

Then the corpse is lifted into a sitting position, and slight pressure is applied to the lower abdomen to check if there is air or feces in the stomach, which could later soil the burial shroud.

Next, the legs of the deceased are slightly spread apart, and the water hose is inserted from above under the Sutra. The genital area is then thoroughly washed with the left hand and a sponge while the water is running.

Afterward, the first part of the Islamic funeral washing begins, called Wuduu (Ritual Prayer Washing).

First, both hands are washed. Starting with the right hand and then washing the left hand.

The mouth is washed three times.

Then, the nose is cleaned three times.

After that, the face is washed three times.

Then, the right hand is washed up to the elbow, and the left hand is also washed up to the elbow.

Afterwards, one strokes the head with moistened hands from the forehead to the back of the head and back again.

Then, one strokes the ears with moistened hands.
Finally, the feet are washed up to the ankles.

After completing the Wudu (ritual ablution), one proceeds with two full-body washings (Ghusl). The first full-body washing is performed with Sidr (Lotus). The second full-body washing is then performed with Camphor (Kafur).

During the ritual washing of the deceased, the water must reach the entire body. The back and the posterior part of the body must also be considered during the ritual washing. The body is turned to the left and right, and water is poured over the back and the posterior part of the body.

After the body is dried, the burial shrouds (three for men and five for women) are placed under the body. Then, the body is sprinkled with some Attar (non-alcoholic perfume).

After the first shroud is wrapped around the deceased, the Sutra must be removed.

Both ends of the burial shrouds (Kaffan) are twisted and pulled tight so that the burial shrouds sit firmly on the body.

The two ends are tied together with a string to prevent the burial shrouds (Kaffan) from coming loose.

Thus, the ritual washing and wrapping (Tekfin) are completed, and the deceased is ready for the funeral prayer.

You can find a detailed video on Islamic ritual washing here.

Videolink: https://youtu.be/qOcY0mpBBJQ

The Child's Shroud

The child is wrapped in a single shroud, but it is not forbidden to wrap it in three shrouds.

How is the man wrapped?

The Shroud of the Woman

The woman is wrapped in five white burial cloths: a shirt, a waistband, a bandage, a veil for the head, and a piece of fabric to hold the thighs together. If this is not possible, the deceased woman is wrapped in the same way as the deceased man.

How is the woman wrapped?

The funeral prayer is a prescribed obligation in accordance with all Muslims. It is a universally binding duty; once undertaken by someone, others are exempt. 

Which person is best suited to pray over the deceased?

The most suitable person for this prayer is firstly the one chosen by the deceased, provided that this person is not immoral or misguided. Following in the hierarchy: the sovereign or his representative, then in descending order: the father, the grandfather, or the great-grandfather, and then in ascending order: the son, the grandson, or the great-grandson, followed by other close male relatives.

Description of the funeral prayer:

If someone is late and misses one or more of the four formulas: "God is the Greatest," what should he do?

He goes to the group and follows the prayer of the Imam. When the Imam concludes the prayer with the greeting formula, the belated individual completes his prayer and recites the missed sections, as described above.

Which prayer is recited when the deceased person is a child?

"The prayer for a child is the same as for a man, but after the third 'Allahu Akbar,' instead of asking for forgiveness for the deceased, one recites the following prayer:"

O God, make him a trailblazer who illuminates the path of his parents, turn it into a reward for them..

According to the words of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, it is better to hasten with the funeral procession: "Hasten with the funeral procession. You make it for the best of the deceased, if he was a good man; and if not, you do it to rid yourselves of evil" (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

The regulations for the funeral procession.

"To participate in the funeral procession is a recommended practice according to the Sunnah and can be carried out in one of three different ways.

Praying for the deceased, then leaving.

Following the funeral procession to the cemetery, participating in the burial, and then leaving.

Staying after the funeral and seeking God's forgiveness for the deceased, praying for strength of faith, and requesting the salvation of their soul.

What should the person attending the funeral do?

 They should be humble, reflect on the end, consider their further duties, and be aware of what will become of the deceased. They should repeatedly mention the name of God and pray for the deceased without raising their voice. They should not engage with worldly matters and not be distracted by laughter or similar things.

How should the grave look?

The grave must reach at least the depth of a person's chest, but it is better to dig deeper and wider. The Sunnah teaches to carve out a niche in the grave for the burial of the deceased, as in the grave of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him. Once the depth of the grave is reached, carve out the designated niche in the direction of the Kaaba to place the deceased in. If it is not possible to prepare a niche, then dig a trench in the ground for the deceased. This trench is hollowed out at the bottom of the grave. It is covered with any kind of roof to prevent the deceased from being covered in dust. The burial of the deceased should take place in a Muslim cemetery, unless it is impossible. However, a martyr who has fallen in battle should be buried where they were killed, if possible. This was also done for the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud, may God grant them His mercy.

How is the deceased buried?

If possible, the deceased should be laid into the grave from the side where their feet will be. It is customary to cover the grave of a deceased woman with a cloth. A deceased woman should be placed in the grave by one of her male relatives, whose degree of kinship prohibits marriage with her. If this is not possible, she should be laid by an older man qualified to perform burials. The relative entitled to bury the deceased woman is the one who was allowed to see her during her lifetime or accompany her on travels (a Mahram). The deceased is placed in the niche on the right side, facing towards the Kaaba. The face must be close to the wall to prevent it from falling, and at the back, it is supported by a mound of earth to prevent falling on the back. The person placing the deceased in the grave says: "In the name of God and in faith in His Prophet." The knots of the burial shroud at the head and feet are untied. Once the deceased is in the grave, it is walled with mud bricks, and the gaps are filled with earth to prevent dust from entering. Instead of mud bricks, reeds or similar materials can be used. It is recommended to throw dust on the grave three times before covering it with earth.

What is done with the grave after the burial?

The grave should be elevated about a hand's breadth above the ground to be recognized and to be protected from pedestrians' steps. Prayers are said for the salvation of the deceased. The grave may be marked with a stone or something similar. It is better to arch the surface of the grave. It is forbidden to build or plaster anything on the grave, as these are considered pagan customs. Sitting or leaning on the grave is not allowed. Seeking refuge or walking around the graves is also prohibited. Building mosques or lighting lamps on the graves is not allowed. According to Abu Dawud, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "May God curse the women who visit the graves, as well as those who build mosques or light lamps on the graves," and likewise: "God cursed the Jews who turned the graves of their prophets into places of worship" (reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

What rules apply to visiting graves?

The visitation of graves is recommended for men, based on the tradition of the Prophet. It is prescribed as a reminder of the end and a new life. Visiting graves is prohibited for women due to the previously mentioned words (God damn the women who visit graves...). During the visit, the visitor should say: "Blessings and peace be upon you, believers and Muslims, who rest here, we will meet again. We ask God to grant us and you well-being." One should also seek forgiveness and grace for the deceased. On the other hand, it is strictly forbidden to ask the deceased for anything, to invoke his help, or to seek his intercession. It is also not allowed to stroke hands over the grave or circle around it. All of these are detestable and superstitious actions that lead to deification and denial of the absolute unity of God. The prophets and apostles proclaimed this unity as God's command, above which blessings and peace lie.

What rule applies to expressing condolences?

"In accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet, condolences are expressed to the mourners for up to three days and nights. The corresponding formula is: 'May God increase your reward, assure you of His comfort, and grant forgiveness to your deceased.' The response to this formula is: 'May God increase your prayers and bestow His grace upon us and you.'

How are funeral ceremonies and special mourning gatherings assessed?

The common practice of organizing gatherings where the Quran is recited for three nights after death, or holding mourning ceremonies and special gatherings on the day of death, or on the third or fortieth day, or anniversary, are all superstitious actions introduced by the people and are not based on the Quran, the Sunnah of the Prophet, or the traditions of Muslim ancestors. May God, the Exalted, grant them His grace. In conclusion, we ask God, the Blessed and Exalted, to strengthen us through the immortal word in this world and the hereafter, to let us live and die in the faith of Islam and the teachings of the Sunnah, and to count us among His pious worshipers. He is the Hearer and the Answerer of all our prayers.