Preparation of the Deceased I. Washing the deceased “الغسل” II. Shrouding the deceased “الكفن” III. Prayer “الصلاة” IV. Funeral V. Burial

I. Washing the deceased “الغسل” “Ghusul is Fard Kifaya” A man's body should be washed by men and a woman's by women. A husband can wash his wife's body and vice-versa if the need arises. A child's body may be washed by either sex. One person is needed for washing with someone to help. Choose a person who knows best how to perform “Ghusul”.

I. Washing the deceased “الغسل” Place the body on a flat place, a table. Remove the deceased's clothes leaving the private parts covered. Press the stomach gently and clean whatever comes out. Use a piece of cloth or your hands.

I. Washing the deceased “الغسل” Use clean warm water; add some scented oils (non- alcoholic) in the final wash. Perform ablution “Wudu” for the body, cleaning the teeth and nose from outside. Wash the body three times. If needed, continue washing five or seven times.

I. Washing the deceased “الغسل” In each wash: Begin washing the right side, then wash the left side. First and second washes are done with water and soap, last one with water and scent. Hair should be unbraided, washed and combed. For women it may again be braided in three braids.

I. Washing the deceased “الغسل” Dry the body with a clean cloth or towel. Add some perfume on the head, forehead, nose, hands, knees, eyes, armpits, and place perfumed cotton on the front and rear openings.

II. Shrouding the deceased “الكفن” Use a clean piece of cloth (preferably white) to cover the whole body. Add some perfume to the “Kafan”. Do not use silk cloth for men. Use three pieces for men and five for women.

II. Shrouding the deceased “الكفن” Make three ties near the head, middle, and feet in such a way that one can differentiate the head from the legs.

III. Prayer “الصلاة” Divide praying people into three rows or more facing the “Qibla” with the Imam in front. Put the body in front of the Imam. The Imam should stand by the middle of the body if the deceased is a woman and by the shoulder if the deceased is a man.

III. Prayer “الصلاة” In case of multiple bodies, put them in front of each other; bodies of the men nearest to the Imam and those of the women furthest from him. Make the appropriate Intention “Niyah”; raise your hands and say “Allah Akbar”. Tie your hands as done in “Salaah” prayer.

III. Prayer “الصلاة” Read “Sura Al-Fatiha” Silently. Second “Allah Akbar”. Read “Al Salah Al Ibrahimiyah” in the same way as you do in the “Tashahud”. Third “Allah Akbar”.

III. Prayer “الصلاة” Make Dua’ for the deceased. Fourth “Allah Akbar”. Make Dua’ for Muslims. Finnish with “Assalaam Alaikum” Note: Prayer is done while one is standing. There is no “Ruku” or “Sujud”.

Dua’ “الدعاء” (( اللهم اغفر له وارحمه, وعافه واعف عنه, وأكرم نزله ووسع مدخله, واغسله بالماء والثلج والبرد, ونقه من الخطايا كما ينقى الثوب الأبيض من الدنس, وأبدله داراً خيراً من داره, وأهلاً خيراً من أهله, وزوجاً خيراً من زوجه, وأدخله الجنة وأعذه من عذاب القبر ومن عذاب النار )) (رواه مسلم (963), والنسائي (1/51), وابن ماجة (1498)) (( اللهم اغفر لحيّنا وميّتنا, وشاهدنا وغائبنا, وصغيرنا وكبيرنا, وذكرنا وأنثانا, اللهم من أحييته منا فأحيه على الإسلام ومن توفيته منا فتوفه على الإيمان, اللهم لا تحرمننا أجره, ولا تضللنا بعده )) ) رواه أبو داوود (3201), والترمذي (1024) بسند صحيح(

Dua’ “الدعاء” ”اللهُمِّ إِنَّ فُلانَ بْنَ فُلانٍ في ذِمَّتِكَ، وَحَبْلِ جِوارِكَ، فَقِهِ فِتْنَةِ الْقَبْرِ وَعَذابِ النّارِ، وَأَنْتَ أَهْلُ الْوَفاءِ وَالْحَقِّ، فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الغَفورُ الرَّحيمُ“ (رواه أبو داوود (3202), وابن ماجة (1499) بسند صحيح) ”اللَّهُمَّ عَبْدُكَ وَابْنُ أَمَتِك احْتاجَ إِلى رَحْمَتِكَ، وَأَنْتَ غَنِيٌّ عَنْ عَذابِهِ، إِنْ كانَ مُحْسِناً فَزِدْ في حَسَناتِه، وَإِنْ كانَ مُسيئاً فَتَجاوَزْ عَنْهُ“ أخرجه الحاكم وصححه ووافقه الذهبي 1/359 وانظر أحكام الجنائز للألباني ص125

الدُّعاءُ لِلْفَرَطِ في الصَّلاةِ عليهِ Dua’ “الدعاء” الدُّعاءُ لِلْفَرَطِ في الصَّلاةِ عليهِ ”اللهُمِّ اجْعَلْهُ فَرَطاً وَذُخْراً لِوالِدَيه، وَشَفيعاً مُجاباً، اللهُمِّ ثَقِّلْ بِهِ مَوازينَهُما، وَأَعْظِمْ بِهِ أُجورَهُما، وَأَلْحِقْهُ بِصالِحِ المؤْمِنين، وَاجْعَلْهُ في كَفالَةِ إِبْراهيم، وَقِهِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ عَذابَ الْجَحيم، وأبْدِلْهُ داراً خيراً من دارِهِ، وأهلاً خيراً من أهلِهِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغفِرْ لأسلافنا، وأفراطِنا، ومَن سبقنا بالإيمان" فَحَسَنٌ". ) انظر: المغني لابن قدامة 3/416 والدروس المهمة لعامة الأمة للشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبد الله بن باز رحمه الله ص15(

دُعاءُ زيارَةِ القُبُورِ Dua’ “الدعاء” دُعاءُ زيارَةِ القُبُورِ (( السلام عليكم أهل الديار من المؤمنين والمسلمين, وإنا إن شاء الله بكم لاحقون, أسأل الله لنا ولكم العافية )) (رواه مسلم (975), والنسائي (2040), وابن ماجة (1547)) (( السلام على أهل الديار من المؤمنين والمسلمين, ويرحم الله المتقدمين منا والمستأخرين, وإنا إن شاء الله بكم للاحقون )) (رواه مسلم (974) وأحمد (6/221), والبيهقي (4/79)

IV. Funeral Mourners should walk following “Janaza”. Silence is recommended. It is forbidden to accompany the body with music or crying.

V. Burial The grave should be deep, wide and well made: “Lahd” consists of two excavations. “Shaq” is on excavation. The deceased's body should be laid with the face toward the Qibla. While laying the body say: ”بِسْمِ اللهِ وَعَلى سُنَّةِ رَسولِ الله“ أبو داود 3/314 بسند صحيح وأحمد بلفظ بسم الله وعلى ملة رسول الله وسنده صحيح

V. Burial Using casket is not recommended unless there is a need for it. Raise the deceased's head using some soil. Pillow should not be used. Do not put anything with the deceased inside the grave.

V. Burial Close the “Lahd” and cover the “Shaq”. Fill the larger pit with soil. Pour three handfuls of soil and say: ” مِنْهَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ وَفِيهَا نُعِيدُكُمْ وَمِنْهَا نُخْرِجُكُمْ تَارَةً أُخْرَى“ سورة طه 55 Raise the level of the grave a little less than one foot in a sloping way. Final thoughts.

References ِِAl Fiqh'Al Madhahib Al Arba'a, Abdul Rahman Al Jazeeri. Fiqhul Sunnah, Vol.4, Sayed Sabiq Sifat Salatul Nabi, 5th Edition, Mohammad Nasirul Deen, Al Albani. Al Figh Al Islami Wa Adilatuhu, Wahba Al Zuhaili