1. Grief Support Network Variations of Ethnic and Faith Traditions in Grieving Muslim Traditions A. Rauf Mir, M.D., F.A.C.P. July 11, 2006

4. Each year 5 million Americans suffer the death of a loved one. MOST GRIEVE ALONE  In the GKC Metropolitan area over 13,000 people die each year.  Over 33,000 souls mourn their deaths.

5. Prescribes patterns of order for society in such matters as: -Family Life -Civil and criminal law - Business -Etiquette -Food -Dress -Personal hygiene/Healthcare -End of life issues -Will Newsweek, March 16, 1998: U.S. Muslim population estimates: -Current – 6 million -Year 2000 – 1.4% Islam – Total way of life

6. Ordained by God  Trials / Tribulations  Disease / Health  Poverty / Wealth  Family / Friends

7. The Shari’a Framework of a total legal system to regulate and organize various aspects of human activities. Comprehensive but only a few rulings are fixed. God shall neither be vetoed nor outvoted.

8. Sources of the Shari’a 1. Quran 2. Sunna – Traditions of Prophet 3. Consensus 4. Analogy

9. Life – Trust from God Man as a Trustee Death - not to be feared ‘Every soul shall have a taste of death: and only on the day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense’ Q; 3:185

10. ‘Eat and drink and be not prodigal’ Q; 7:31 ‘Don’t let your own hands throw you into destruction’ Q;2:195

11. ‘Your body has a right over you. Seek treatment: Oh subjects of God…for God has created a remedy for every ailment, some known and some not.’ Hadith ‘The most beloved by God, of the things He is asked to grant, is good health’ Hadith

12. ‘If you hear that the plague is in a place, do not enter it; and if it is in your place, do not run away from it’ Hadith

13. Illness –  Patient / family (next of kin) need to receive full information regarding diagnosis / prognosis Level of openness individualized Level of openness individualized

14. Patience is a great virtue in Islam, generously rewarded by God. Prophet says ‘when someone suffers (from an illness) God discards his sins as the tree sheds its leaves.’

15. Earthly life is a transition period preceding Eternal life. The only guarantee that comes along with birth is death. ‘To God we belong and to Him is our return’ 2:156

16. Islam teaches that all humans are born sinless. However, as we live, by our nature we commit sins. ‘Every descendent of Adam is a sinner, and the best of the sinners are those who repent.’ Hadith

17. Humans are responsible for the sins committed intentionally. (God doesn’t forgive wrongs committed against fellow human beings without one seeking forgiveness from the grieved party and doing ones best in making up for it.) ‘Work for this life as if we are living forever and work for the hereafter as if we are dying tomorrow.’

18. Supplication of Forgiveness “Say (to humanity, O Prophet): O My servants – those (of you) who have committed (sins in great) excess against their own souls – never despair of the mercy of Allah! For, indeed, Allah forgives sins, one and all. Indeed, it is He who is the All-forgiving, the Mercy Giving. So turn in penitence to your Lord. And submit yourselves to Him.” 39:53-54

19. Euthanasia Physician assisted suicide Withholding / Withdrawing life sustaining therapy AutopsyTransplantation

20. Organ donation from the living is considered a great charity according to the Quranic saying “And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole people” 5:35 “And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole people” 5:35  Procurement of organs from a cadaver for transplantation is permitted.  Continuation of life support for some time to preserve the suitability of the needed organ for transplantation is allowed.

22. End of life discussion  Organ donation  Advanced Directives  Pain management appropriate steps appropriate steps highly desirable highly desirable no virtue in suffering unless no remedy available no virtue in suffering unless no remedy available

23. Family members closely involved – usually post- hosp prefer to care for patients at home rather than commercial facilities Hope communicated  Reminder of God’s Mercy Mercy Forgiveness Forgiveness Omnipotence Omnipotence  Prayers encouraged

24. ‘So verily with every difficulty there is relief. So verily with every difficulty there is relief.’ 99:5 ‘To God doth belong dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is therein and it is He who hath power over all things.’ 5:120

25. Death/Dying Good death  Painless death - amongst family members, preferably at home  Fulfillment of worldly obligations family affairs family affairs no debt no debt  Faith rituals In life In life While dying While dying After death After death

26. D/D  No role of premonition / forecasting  Involvement of medical community stressed  “Spiritual leader” role limited  Touch / company emphasized

27. D/D  ‘Right to die’ / Suicide / Euthanasia  “Karma” ‘And verily judgment and justice must indeed come to pass’ 51:6 ‘Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good see it. And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.’ 99:7,8

28. D/D At the time of death  Quranic recitation and prayers If patient conscious and able – encouraged to recite ‘Shahada’ If patient conscious and able – encouraged to recite ‘Shahada’  Body Eyes and mouth closed Eyes and mouth closed Extremities unfolded Extremities unfolded

29. D/D After death  Maintain modesty / privacy  Formal washing of body by person of same sex by person of same sex private parts kept covered private parts kept covered  Wrappings with plain, white cotton cloth  Formal prayers – congregational  Burial – no casket / vaults, etc.  No wake / viewing  No cremation

30. D/D Funeral rituals  Mourning Appropriate length Appropriate length Best way to support bereaved Best way to support bereaved Rituals regarding mourning / anniversary expressions Rituals regarding mourning / anniversary expressions  Generational changes with assimilation Traditions Traditions Family unit Family unit

31. Mission/Goals of GSN We are proud of these and applaud them highly

33. ‘Say: O my Lord…advance me in knowledge’ Q;20:116