1. Janaazah Workshop Presented by your brothers and sisters
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Janaazah
Workshop
Presented by
your brothers and sisters
at Dar-us-Salaam

2. “Every soul shall taste death
“Every soul shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be given full compensation. And whoever is delivered from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. What is the life of this world except the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing).”
Ali-Imraan: 185

3. Before Death & As Death Approaches
“Whoever had wronged his brother in his reputation or wealth, let him remedy that before the Day of Judgment comes. Because no dinar nor dirham will be accepted then: if he has good deeds, they will be taken from him and given to his brother; and if he does not have good deeds, then the bad deeds of his companion will be taken and thrust upon him.”
-al-Bukhari

4. Things to Do Before Death
Attend to all obligations and promises, or advise people to do so on your behalf.
The Prophet said: “Indeed, a ruined person of my ummah is one who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayers, fasting and zakah. However, he had abused so and so, defamed so and so, unlawfully consumed the wealth of so and so, shed the blood of so and so, and beaten so and so. Thus, this and that will be given from his good deeds. If his good deeds finish before fulfilling what he owes, he will be burdened with their sins, then hurled into the Fire.”
-Muslim

5. Advise family and friends to stick to the Sunnah
Prepare your will.
The Prophet said:
“No Muslim who owns anything which he can bequeath has the right to remain two nights without having a written will for it under his head.”
-al-Bukhari and Muslim
Advise family and friends to stick to the Sunnah
and avoid any innovations.
“O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.”
-Surah at-Tahrim:6
Things to Do Before Death

6. Our Attitude Before Death and as Death Approaches
Be happy with Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’ala)’s decree.
Rasulullah said:
“None of you should die without having good expectations
in Allah, the Most Exalted.”
-Muslim
Maintain an attitude between fear and hope.
Anas reported that Rasulullah visited a young man who was dying. He asked him:
“How do you feel?” He replied,
“By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I have hope in Allah, and fear my sins.” Rasulullah said: “These two qualities do not dwell together in a person’s heart in this situation (of death) but Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) will grant him what he hopes, and save him from what he fears.”
-Tirmithi and Ibn Majah

7. 3. No matter how much it hurts, do not wish for death.
The Prophet said to his uncle ‘Abbaas :
“Uncle, do not wish for death-for if you were good and lived longer, adding more good deeds to your good deeds is better for you. And if you were bad and lived longer, being given the chance to rectify your bad deeds, is better for you. So don’t wish for death.”
-Haakim
The Prophet said:
“If one absolutely has to do it (i.e. wish for death), he should say: O Allah, have me live as long as life is good for me and take my soul if death is better for me.”
-al-Bukhari
Our Attitude Before Death and as Death Approaches

8. Love to meet Allah.
Abu Hurayrah related that Rasulullah said:
“Whoever loves meeting Allah, Allah loves meeting him. And whoever dislikes meeting Allah, Allah dislikes meeting him.”
-al-Bukhari and Muslim
Our Attitude Before Death and as Death Approaches

9. ‘Aishah asked Allah’s Messenger:
“Do you mean hating death? We all hate death!”. The Prophet responded: “This is not what it means! When death comes to a believer, he is given tidings of Allah’s mercy, acceptance, and Jannah. Nothing is then dearer to him than what lies ahead of him: he loves meeting Allah, and Allah loves meeting him. But when death comes to a disbeliever, he is given the tidings of Allah’s anger, torture, and punishment. Nothing is then more hateful to him than what lies ahead of him: he hates meeting Allah, and Allah hates meeting him.”
-al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Our Attitude Before Death and as Death Approaches

10. The Onset
of Death
“Prompt your dying ones to say Laa Ilaaha Illallaah.”
-Muslim and Abu Dawud

11. What to Do For the Dying Person
Prompt the person to say the Kalimah.
Abu Hurayrah reported that Rasulullah said:
“Prompt your dying ones to say ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’ Anyone who concludes his speech at the time of death with ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah’ will enter Jannah one day, regardless of what happens to him prior to that.”
-Muslim and Abu Dawud
Ibn Mas’ud reported that Rasulullah said:
“Prompt your dying ones to say ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’ Indeed, a believer’s soul’s departure is (easy) like sweating (because of this statement), whereas a disbeliever’s soul departs from the side of his mouth (filthy and noisy) like a donkey’s soul.”
-at-Tabarani in al-Kabir

12. “Anyone who dies joining none with Allaah enters Jannah.”
‘Uthman reported that Rasulullah said:
“Anyone who dies knowing that, ‘Laa Ilaaha Illallaah’ enters Jannah.”
-Muslim and Ahmad
Jabir bin Abdillaah reported that Rasulullah said:
“Anyone who dies joining none with Allaah enters Jannah.”
2. Make sure that the person says it, not just hears it.
Anas reported that Rasulullah visited a dying man from the Ansar and said to him:
“O uncle! Say ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’
He asked, ‘Am I your maternal or paternal uncle?’ He replied: ‘Maternal.’
He asked, “Is it good for me to say, ‘Laa Ilaaha illallaah?’
He replied, ‘Yes.’
-Ahmad
What to Do For the Dying Person

13. Pray for the dying person.
Umm Salamah said that when Abu Salamah died, she went to the Prophet and told him, “O Allah’s Messenger! Abu Salamah passed away.” He instructed her to say:
“O Allah, forgive me and (forgive) him, and give me everything good after him.”
She concluded,
“Then after him, Allah gave me one who is better for me
than him: Muhammad ”
-Muslim, al-Bayhaqi, and others
Say good things.
Rasulullah said:
“When you are present with a sick or dying person, say good things, because the angels endorse what you say (by saying aameen).”
What to Do For the Dying person

14. Related Issues Should one read Surah Yaaseen?
Should the dying person be turned towards the Qiblah?
3. Can you go near a dying person understanding he/she is a non-Muslim?
What to Do For the Dying Person

15. Signs of a Good Death “Indeed he succeeds who purifies his own self.”
-Surat ash-Shams: 9

16. Declaring the Shahaadah
at the Time of Death
Abu Hurayrah reported that Rasulullah sal Allahu alayih wa sallam said:
“Prompt your dying ones to say ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’ Anyone who concludes his speech at the time of death with ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah’ will enter Jannah one day, regardless of what happens to him prior to that.” -Muslim and Abu Dawud
Ibn Mas’ud reported that Rasulullah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Prompt your dying ones to say ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah.’ Indeed, a believer’s soul’s departure is (easy) like sweating (because of this statement), whereas a disbeliever’s soul departs from the side of his mouth (filthy and noisy) like a donkey’s soul” -at-Tabarani in al-Kabir

17. Dying With a Sweaty Forehead

18. (no punishment in the grave)
Dying on the Night
or Day of Jumu’ah
(no punishment in the grave)
1. New Moon

19. Dying as Shaheed on the Battlefield

20. Being Killed While Struggling in the Way of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala)
(shaheed)
Torture
Assassination
Imprisonment
Exile

21. Dying From Plague
(shaheed)

22. Dying From Abdominal Illness
(shaheed)

23. Dying by Drowning (shaheed)

24. Dying From the Collapse
of a Building
(shaheed)

25. A Woman’s Death Because of Pregnancy or Delivery
(shaheed)

26. Dying From Burning
(shaheed)

27. Dying From Pleurisy (shaheed)
(inflammation of the lining surrounding the lungs; causes painful respiration)

28. Dying From Tuberculosis
(shaheed)

29. One’s Property, Family, or Deen (shaheed)
Dying While Defending
One’s Property, Family, or Deen (shaheed)

30. Dying During Self-Defense
(shaheed)

31. Dying While Standing Guard in the Way of Allah(subhaanahu wa ta’aala)
(shaheed)
Dar-us-Salaam

32. Dying While Doing a Righteous Deed
janaazah Workshop

33. Getting Killed by an Oppressive Ruler
(shaheed)

34. Getting Murdered
(shaheed)

35. Praise of Righteous Muslims
She took care of the needy.
He used to spend in the way of Allah.
He would come to the masjid often.

36. Signs of a Bad Death “And indeed he fails who corrupts his own self.”
-Surat ash-Shams: 10

37. Dying While in a State of Disbelief
I don’t believe in the hereafter.
I don’t believe in the hijab.
The Shari’ah doesn’t apply in our day and age.
I only believe in the Qur’an.

38. Dying While Performing an Act of Disobedience
Prejudice
Backbiting
Spreading rumors
Cheating
Stealing TV
Suspicion
Smoking
Lying
Delaying prayer
Being mean to one’s parents

39. Inability To Say the Shahadah at the Time of Death
Did the stock market go up today?
Say Laa Ilaaha Illallaah….!
What’s the score?…..

40. Righteous Muslims Being Critical of the Deceased
He never used to pray.
He was a tyrant!
She was stingy.

41. Addiction to Alcohol

42. Ill-Treatment of the Parents
Mom I’m busy, I can’t come right now!
Can’t you have a life of your own Dad!
Nursing Home

43. Having No Ghayrah for the Family
Narrated Ammar bin Yaasir, that Rasul Allah Sal Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam said,: "There are three that will never enter Paradise: Al-Diyuth, and the Rijlah from the women, and the habitual drunkard". They said "Oh Messenger of Allah: We know what the habitual drunkard is but what is the Diyuth? He said: "the one who does not care who enters upon his household.“ -Sahih Altargheeb

44. Sudden Death

45. Dying Before Repenting From a Major Sin
Murder
Say you’re sorry.
Buying a house on interest
Not wearing hijab
Backbiting
Not praying
Magic
Why? I never did anything wrong!
Buying life insurance
Fornication/Adultery

46. What to do Immediately After Death
“Hurry with the funeral. If it is for a good person, you bring it forward to its good destination; and if it is other than that, you drop the evil (quickly) off your necks.”
-al-Bukhari and Muslim

47. Responsibilities of Those Who are Present
Close the eyes of the person.
Make du’a for them.
Cover the body. (exception: muhrim/one in state of ihraam)
Hasten the burial preparation.
Make burial arrangements.
Assign someone to take care of outstanding debts.
Related Issues
Can you uncover the face?
2. Can you kiss the face?

48. Responsibilities of the Relatives
1. Patience: be content with Allah’s decree.
Istirja’: Saying (Truly, to Allah we belong; and truly, to Him will we return)
Make du’a seeking Allah’s help to be patient.
4. Announcement of death and request others to make du’a for forgiveness for the deceased.
Things permissible:
It is unnecessary to stop use of make-up for more than three days for anyone, except for her husband. Mourning of a widow is ~130 days.

49. Things Not Permissible When the Person Dies
Do not wail.
Do not yell or scream.
Do not beat yourself: i.e. beating your chest or slapping your cheeks.
Do not neglect personal hygiene: i.e. bathing, haircuts, lengthening hair/beards.
5. Do not conduct any outlandish ceremonies displeasing to Allah.

50. Washing the Deceased & Shrouding
“He who washes a Muslim and conceals what he sees (bad smell, appearance, etc.), Allah grants him forgiveness forty times (or for forty major sins). And he who digs for him (a grave) and buries him would be granted a reward similar to providing for him a dwelling until the Day of Resurrection. And he who shrouds him, Allah will clothe him on the Day of Resurrection from the silk garments of Jannah.”
-Al-hakim, al-Bayhaqi, and others

51. Suggested & Useful Supplies
During the Washing Process

52. Suggested Protective Clothes During the Washing Process
Boots
Gloves
Coat Or Overalls
Mask

53. Covering and Washing the Body WATER WITH LOTUS LEAVES
From neck
to mid-shin
WATER
WOMAN
WITH LOTUS LEAVES
OR SOAP & SHAMPOO
From navel
to knee
WITH CAMPHOR
MAN

54. Washing Sequence
Carefully lay the deceased on his back on a washing table, in a place covered from any inquisitive eyes.
Cover the deceased’s ‘awrah with a large towel or sheet.
Undress the deceased, cutting whatever is not easy to slide off. The deceased’s ‘awrah must always remain covered with the sheet.

55. Washing Sequence
Slightly move the deceased’s limbs to loosen the joints – if that is found necessary for the washing or shrouding. Only a slight pressure may be applied to the abdomen to expel any excrements that are close to exiting.
With left hand, thoroughly wash the deceased’s private parts, removing all excrements and waste. Cotton or cloth may be used to stop uncontrollable leaks.
Untie any tied or braided hair.

56. Washing Sequence
Turning the deceased on his/her left side, use pure water to wash the right side, starting with the head, then arm, then foot, then the rest of the right side. As much as possible, the water should reach all the parts of the body.
Turning the deceased on his/her right side, wash his/her left side as you did for his right side in step seven.
Repeat steps 7 and 8 one or more times if needed.

57. Washing Sequence Wash the body with pure water as in steps 7 and 8.
If needed, wash the body with pure water as in steps 7 and 8 to remove the soap.
Conclude with a final wash using the water-camphor mixture and following the order of steps 7 and 8. The total number of complete washes should be odd.

58. Washing Sequence
Comb the hair. If it is long, divide it into 3 braids: the sides and the center. Place the hair behind the head.
Use a towel to dry the body.
Replace the wet sheet covering the ‘awrah with a dry one.
The body is now ready for shrouding.

59. General Guidelines for Shrouding
1. The shroud must cover the entire body.
If unable to cover entire body with the kafan, cover the head first and then the rest of the body. Cover the feet with something else like plants or grass.
The Shaheed/Muhrim is buried in the clothes that he died in.
It is preferable for the kafan to be white, scented, and in three layers.
Do not be extravagant.
It is okay to use more than 3 sheets for women (i.e. 5 sheets).
The folding sequence: right to the left, right, left; right, left. Then fold over the head and over the feet.

60. Sheet Dimensions for A 6-Foot Person Approximate Measurements:
Length: Body’s Length plus 2 feet
Width: Three times body’s width
Right Side
2 ft
(60 cm)
6 ft
(180 cm)
Left Side
6 ft
(180 cm)
8 ft
(240 cm)

61. “He who follows a Muslim’s janaazah, with iman and ihtisab, from its house until the prayer is performed for it, gets a chunk (of rewards). And he who (also) follows it until its burial is completed, gets two chunks of rewards.”
Rasulullah was asked “What are these chunks?” And he replied:
“They are like two great mountains.”
In another report it is said:
“Each chunk is like the mountain
of Uhud.”
-al-Bukhari/Muslim
Carrying
the Janaazah

62. General Guidelines for Carrying the Janaazah
1. It is important to accompany the janaazah and participate actively in it (carrying the janaazah).
Follow the procession.
Do not weep loudly.
No torches, no fire displays.
No loud sounds or voices: i.e. music, 21-gun salute.
No loud recitation of the Qur’aan or chanting or dhikr.

63. No loud chanting of Laa Ilaaha illallah.
8. Proceed quickly to the place of prayer.
You may walk on any side of the janaazah. Although it is better to be behind it.
People riding in any mode of transportation should ride behind it.
11. If a janaazah is passing by it is permissible to stand up for it.
It is recommended that those carrying the janaazah should make wudu afterwards.
General Guidelines for Carrying the Janazah

64. Transporting the Body Wrong method for transporting the body:
CLOSED COFFIN

65. Salatul Janaazah
“Whenever a large group of (Muslim) people pray janaazah for a deceased person, they are granted intercession for him.”
-an-Nasaa’i

66. General Guidelines for Salat ul-janaazah
Women can participate in Salatul Janaazah.
The more people who pray, the better.
It is recommended to make at least three rows of at least two people each.
If there are only two people, the person stands behind the imam.
Mass funeral prayer is permissible; though it is preferable to pray for each deceased person individually.
It is preferable to pray outside of the masjid in a designated spot.

67. 7. It is permissible to pray in the masjid.
8. No funeral prayers in the graveyard.
9. The imam stands behind the head of a deceased man, or behind the middle of a deceased woman.
It is permissible to do 4-9 takbirs.
Lift hands with each takbir.
Place right hand over left hand on chest.
What to say after each takbir (silently):
First Takbir: Fatiha + any Surah
Second Takbir: Salah on the Prophet
Third Takbir: Du’a
Fourth Takbir: Du’a
General Guidelines for Salat ul-janaazah

68. Conclude the Salatul Janaazah with salaam.
Say the salaam lightly and not loudly.
Do not pray Salatul Janaazah during the following times:
Sunrise
Noon
Sunset
17. It is permissible to pray Salatul Janaazah in absentia if no one prayed over the deceased Muslim.

69. 18. An overview of the different cases of janaazah: Deceased Ruling
A Muslim
Obligatory (communal obligation)
A sinful Muslim
Muslim whose janaazah was not prayed
Janaazah in absentia
Shaheed
Recommended
Kids (birth to puberty)
Optional
Baby (4 or more months)
Less than 4 months miscarriages
Prohibited
Non Muslims
General Guidelines for Salat ul-janaazah

70. Salat ul-Janaazah
The washed and shrouded body is brought to the designated area or the musallah.
The body is placed in front, parallel to the Qiblah (See figure).
The imam forms the people into straight rows without gaps. The spacing between the rows may be narrower than that for regular prayer.
The imam faces the Qiblah, standing behind the head of a deceased man or behind the middle of a deceased woman. (See figure).

71. Arranging the Bodies and Rows for the janaazah Prayer (top view).
QIBLAH
MAN
IMAM
ROWS OF PEOPLE
WOMAN
GIRL
BOY
WOMAN
GIRL
BOY
MAN
IMAM
ROWS OF PEOPLE

72. Salat ul-Janaazah
5. The imam raises his hands with the first takbir. The people behind him follow him in this and all subsequent actions.
6. Al-Fatihah is recited silently, followed by another surah if time permits.
7. The imam makes the second takbir, raising his hands.

73. Salat ul-Janazah
8. The salah upon the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is made silently.
الَّلهُمَّ صَلِ عَلى ‏ ‏مُحَمَّدٍ ‏ ‏وَعَلى آلِ ‏ ‏مُحَمَّدٍ ‏ ‏كَمَا صَليتَ عَلى ‏ ‏إبرَاهِيمَ ‏ ‏ ‏وَعَلى آلِ ‏إبرَاهِيمَ ‏إنك حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ الَّلهُمَّ بَارك عَلى ‏ ‏مُحَمَّدٍ ‏ ‏وَعَلى آلِ ‏ ‏مُحَمَّدٍ ‏ ‏كَمَا بَارَكتَ عَلى ‏إبرَاهِيمَ ‏ وَعَلى آلِ ‏إبرَاهِيمَ ‏إنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
O Allaah! Send Your Blessings upon Muhammad, and the family of Muhammad, as you have sent Your Blessings upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem; verily, Praiseworthy and Honorable. O Allaah! Bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem; verily, You are Praiseworthy and Honorable.
9. The imam makes the third takbir raising his hands.

74. 10. Sincere du’a from the Sunnah is made for the deceased
10. A. “O Allah! Pardon him and have mercy on him, give him well-being and forgive him, honor his arrival, widen his entry, wash him with water and ice and hail, cleanse him from his sins as a white dress would be cleansed from dirt, replace for him a house better than his, a family better than his, and a spouse better than his, let him into Jannah, and shelter him from the punishment of the grave and the punishment of the Fire.”
-Muslim, An-Nasa’i, and others.

75. 10. B. “O Allah! Forgive our living and dead, our present and absent, our young and old, and our males and females. O Allah! Whoever You keep alive, keep him alive upon Islam, and whoever You take away, take him in a state of iman. O Allah! Do not deny us the reward of (being afflicted with) him, and do not misguide us after him.”
-Ibn Majah, al-Bayhaqi, and others.

76. 10. C. “O Allah! Verily so and so, son of so and so, is in Your custody, holding to the rope that would take him close to You. Shelter him from the trial of the grave and the punishment of the Fire. You are the One worthy of fulfilling the promises and establishing the truth, so forgive him and have mercy on him, You are the All-Forgiving, the All- Merciful.”
-Abu Dawud, Ahmad, and others.

77. 10. D. “O Allah. (This is) Your slave, son of Your female slave
10. D. “O Allah! (This is) Your slave, son of Your female slave. He is in need of Your mercy, and You are in no need of punishing him. If he did well, multiply his good deeds, and if he was a sinner, excuse him.”
-at-Tabarani (in al-Kabir) and al-Hakim.

78. 10. E. “O Allah! This is Your slave, son of Your male slave and Your female slave. He used to testify that there is no (true) god except You, and that Muhammad is Your ‘Abd and Messenger – and You know better about him. O Allah! If he did well, multiply his good deeds, and if he was a sinner, overlook his sins. O Allah! Do no deny us the reward of (being afflicted with) him, and do not misguide us after him.”
-Malik and Abu Ya’la.

79. Salat ul-Janaazah 11. The imam makes the fourth takbir.
12. Sincere du’a from the Sunnah is made for the deceased.
13. Steps 11 and 12 are repeated if the imam chooses to make additional (up to a total of nine) takbirs.
14. In a low voice, the imam makes taslim to the right (required), and to the left (optional).

80. Burial
“Ask forgiveness for your brother, and that he be firm (in his answers), because he is being questioned now.”
-Abu Dawud

81. General Guidelines for Burial
Everyone should be buried.
Muslims and non-Muslims should be buried in separate graveyards.
The shaheed of the battlefield is buried where killed.
Everyone else must be buried in a graveyard.
Burial is impermissible during the following times, except if necessary:
Sunrise
Noon
Sunset

82. 5. It is permissible to have a niche (al-lahd) in the grave.
Only the men lower the deceased into the grave.
Relatives and guardians should lower the body into the grave, if possible. It is permissible for the following relatives to bury in the order of preference given:
Father and his fathers.
The son and his sons.
Brothers, blood brothers.
Relatives of the father.
Sons of the relatives of the deceased.
8. The husband is permitted to bury his wife by himself.
General Guidelines for Burial

83. 9. Put the deceased in the grave starting on the end where the feet
will be.
10. No one who is intimate the night before may enter the grave.
The deceased person should face the Qiblah, laying on his/her right side.
General Guidelines for Burial

84. 12. The person who puts the deceased in the grave, says:
‘In the name of Allah and upon the religion of the Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.’ or
‘In the name of Allah and upon the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.’
General Guidelines for Burial

85. 13. Those watching from above can say:
14. After putting the body in the grave, the people around the grave may throw three handfuls of dirt into the grave on the side of the head.
15. Many people say: “From it We created you and to it We will return you and from it We will raise you again” at the time of putting the body in the grave. This is not permissible.
‘In the name of Allah and upon the religion of the Messenger of Allah, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.’
General Guidelines for Burial

86. After the burial, observe the following:
Raise the filled up grave above the earth level by the span of a hand width.
The pile of raised dirt should be in the form of a convex shape.
It is permissible to mark the grave with a stone or marker to identify the grave.
If the person is buried, one should not loudly say “Laa Ilaaha Illallaah.”
After the burial, it is permissible, once in a while, to sit and remind the people of what happens after death.
17. It is permissible to exhume a body if necessary.
18. It is not permissible to pre-dig your grave.
General Guidelines for Burial

87. 2 & 3 Dimentional Views of a Grave
With Approximate Measurements (for an Average Man)
6.7 ft
(2 m)
24 in.
(60 cm)
Top of Grave
Grave filled
With Soil
Bottom of Grave
Varies
from 0
and up
4 to 7 ft
(120 to 210 cm)
30 in
(75 cm)
3 - D View
2 - D View
Bricks
Behind
Body
Facing
Qiblah
The Lahd

88. Moving the Body
Into the Grave

89. Multiple Bodies in One Grave

90. Condolences
“Whoever consoles his brother in an affliction (that befell him), Allah will clothe him with a green suit with which he will be delighted on the Day of Resurrection.”
-al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, and others

91. General Guidelines for Condolences
Encourage relatives of the deceased to be patient by mentioning the reward of patience and making du’a for the deceased.
Console with what will comfort the people.
One can give condolences even after three days.
Make food for the family of the deceased.
Some things to avoid:
a. Gathering for condolence in a home, a graveyard, a masjid.
b. Relatives of the deceased preparing food for the visitors.
Pass your hand over the head of the orphan and be generous to him/her.

92. The deceased benefits from the following deeds:
A Muslim’s du’a for him.
Fasting.
Taking care of the debts of the deceased.
Good deeds of the children of the deceased.
What the deceased left behind (i.e. knowledge, running charity, pious children).
General Guidelines for Condolences

93. Graveyard
“I forbade you from visiting graves, but now you may visit them, for in visiting them there is a reminder of death.”
-Muslim

94. Graveyard Etiquette
Visit the grave to remind yourself of the hereafter and pray for the deceased.
It is permissible for women to visit the graves, but not a lot.
It is permissible to visit the graves of non-Muslims.
Du’a while visiting the graveyards:
‘Peace be upon you all, O inhabitants of the graves, amongst the believers and the Muslims. Verily we will, Allah willing, be united with you, we ask Allah for well-being for us and you.’

95. 5. Reading of the Qur’aan at the grave is not permissible.
6. It is permissible to lift ones hands in du’a at the grave.
7. Face the Qiblah for the du’a, not the grave.
8. When passing by the grave of a kaafir, no salaams, no du’as.
9. No need to put flowers, roses, or plants at the grave.
Graveyard Etiquettes

96. Common
Mistakes
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, then it is rejected.”
-al-Bukari and Muslim

97. Arrival of Death : Mistakes
Putting the mushaf near his/her dead.
2. Believing that the devils come to him in the form of his parents and invite him to disbelief.

98. Grieving and Mourning: Mistakes
Section I. Dealing with the body
Believing that the deceased’s soul roams about the place of death.
Lighting a candle all night close to the deceased; no candle night vigils.
Putting weights on the deceased’s belly to prevent its swelling.
Tying the deceased’s thighs together to prevent any excrements from exiting.
Putting a green branch in the room with the deceased’s body.
Reading Quran loudly over the body until it is washed.
Putting dust in the deceased’s eyes and saying, “Nothing kills the son of Adam’s eyes except dust.”
Placing a mushaf on the deceased’s chest or near him.

99. Section II. Announcement of Death
Announcing the death from the highest minarets.
Announcing the death in newspapers or by pasting a sheet of na’y to the doors of houses and stores.
Describing a deceased by, “al-Marhum-the one who has been granted mercy”, or “al-Maghfurlah-the one who has been forgiven.” They should instead ask Allah to grant him mercy and forgiveness.
Referring to the deceased as shaheed.
Grieving and Mourning: Mistakes

100. Section III. Grieving and Mourning
Abstention of any person who witnesses the occurrence of death from doing any work for seven days.
Abstention from eating until the deceased is buried.
The family’s weeping with every lunch and dinner.
Mourning for a full year, during which the women avoid using hinna and wearing nice clothes or jewelry.
Turning carpets and rugs upside-down, and covering mirrors and chandeliers.
Abstinence from eating certain lavish types of food during the mourning period such as fish, grilled meat, liver, and so on.
Grieving and Mourning: Mistakes

101. 9. Hiring reciters or running tape recorders with Qur’anic recitation.
7. Hanging the deceased’s picture, putting black ribbons around it, talking to it, and so on.
8. Hiring professional wailers to encourage the people to cry by reciting poetry and other things that raise their emotions.
9. Hiring reciters or running tape recorders with Qur’anic recitation.
10. Wearing specific clothes or colors (like black) for the mourning.
Section IV. Condolences
Making it a regular consoling practice to shake the hands of the deceased’s family members, hug, or kiss them.
The family members forming a line near the grave for receiving condolences.
Grieving and Mourning: Mistakes

102. Limiting the days of condolences to three.
3. Gathering in a specific place (the house or rented hall) to give or receive condolences.
Gathering in the house of the deceased for 7 days to recite Surat Al Mulk.
Getting together in a house or masjid and finishing the Qur’an (Qur’an Khanis).
Limiting the days of condolences to three.
Commemoration of the deceased on the fortieth day and annually after his death.
The deceased’s family making and offering food to other people on the first few days.
Wearing black or other specific clothes or colors for offering condolences.
Grieving and Mourning: Mistakes

103. Various Acts: Mistakes
Preventing women who are indisposed from attending the dying person or the dead body.
The deceased’s close relatives giving alms or paying two rak’ats on the first night.
Giving to the poor the same types of food that the deceased liked.
Reciting al-Fatihah and prompting others to recite it for the deceased’s soul immediately after death or whenever he is mentioned.
Specifically, giving alms for the souls of the dead in the months of Rajab, Sha’ban, and Ramadan.

104. Washing the Body: Mistakes
Moving the deceased’s hands and feet repeatedly and pressing on his/her stomach to expel all excrements.
Those conducting the washing saying a specific dhikr for every part of the body that is being washed.
The people present at the washing making a loud dhikr (often collectively) while the body is being washed.
Loudly reciting Ya-Sin or other portions of the Qur’an during the washing (and shrouding).
Arranging a women’s hair in the middle of her body.

105. Shrouding the Body: Mistakes
Using expensive shrouds, and believing that the dead people boast about their shrouds.
Writing the deceased’s name, that he believes in the Shahadah, or other things on a paper, and putting it inside the shroud.
Writing a supplication on the shroud.
Using an additional (small) sheet to wrap the deceased’s private area unless necessary.
Writing the kalimah on the forehead or the body with perfume.

106. Carrying the Janaazah: Mistakes
Adorning the janaazah (i.e. prayer rugs, flowers, Qur’anic verses).
Walking slowly, with measured steps to the graveyard.
Raising the voices with dhikr, Qur’anic recitation, or poetry, and prompting the people to seek forgiveness or recite al-Fatihah for the deceased.
Putting a turban, fez, crown or other form of head-covers over the coffin to indicate the deceased’s gender.
Preceding the janaazah with flags, flowers, wreaths, or the deceased’s picture.
Slaughtering sheep at the doorstep after the janaazah leaves the house, believing that it protects from more death.

107. 7. Preceding the funeral with food to be distributed after the burial.
Believing that a good person’s body feels light and moves fast.
Giving alms and offering juice to those walking with the janazah.
Carrying the janaazah for ten steps from each of the four corners.
Crowding over the bier.
Talking about worldly affairs while following the janazah.
Carrying the Janaazah: Mistakes

108. The Janaazah Prayer: Mistakes
1. Praying salat ul-ghaaib for a person although it is known that janaazah prayer had already been performed for him.
2. Praying salat ul-ghaaib everyday after maghrib for all the Muslims who died on that day.
The imam’s standing near the middle of a man and by the chest of a woman.
Taking off the shoes and standing over them during the prayer.
Saying after the prayer: “Exalted be He Who has subdued His slaves with death, and Exalted be the Alive who does not die.”
Prompting the people after the prayer by asking them, “What do you testify about him?” So that they would reply, “He was a good man…”

109. Burial: Mistakes Section I. Before the burial
Digging one’s grave prior to death. This was not done by the Prophet sallahu ‘aleyhi wa sallam or his companions; one cannot foretell in which land he will die.
Slaughtering a calf upon arrival to the graveyard, and distributing its meat over the people present.
Making dhikr around the bier before burying the body.

110. Section II. During the Burial: Mistakes
Putting blood from the slaughtered animal in the grave.
Calling the adhan while lowering the body into the grave.
Lowering the body from the head’s or the Qiblah side of the grave.
Putting soil representative of Karbala in the grave.
Placing a soft plush piece of velvet under the body in the grave.
Spraying rose water over the body in the grave.
Throwing soil into the grave with the backs of the hands.
Saying specific dhikr while throwing each handful.
Reciting al-Fatihah by the deceased’s head and the beginning of al-Baqarah by his feet. (based upon a weak hadith)

111. Section III. After the Burial: Mistakes
Making talqeen (prompting with the Shahadah) for the deceased in his grave.
Placing two stones on a women’s grave.
Praising the deceased and lamenting over his grave after the burial; eulogies.
Putting food and drink over the grave to be taken by the poor.
Giving alms around the grave.
Pouring water over the grave.
Raising and building the grave with marble, and making upright tombstones.
Painting or coloring the grave.

112. Lighting a torch at the grave.
Writing Qur’an, dates, poetry, and other things on the tombstones.
11. Planting flowers, myrtle, and other plants on the grave, or placing green branches on it when it is visited.
12. Hanging the deceased’s picture on the tombstone.
13. A person’s standing up to deliver a speech after the burial. The admonitions that Allah’s Messenger sallahu ‘aleyhi wa sallam gave were not in the form of speeches, were not his consistent practice, and he did not deliver them while standing.
14. Do not dismember the corpse.
Burial: Mistakes

113. Visiting the Graves: Mistakes
Section I. Specific Days & Times
1. Specifically visiting the grave on the third, seventh, fifteenth, and fortieth days after the burial.
2. Specifically visiting the parents’ graves every Friday (based on a fabricated hadith).
Specifically visiting the graves on the days of ‘Eid, and the day of ‘ashura and the middle of the night of Sha’ban.
Specifically visiting the graves on Mondays and Thursdays.
Specifically visiting the graves during the months of Rajab, Sha’ban and Ramadan.

114. 8. Sleeping a number of nights (up to forty) by a deceased’s grave.
6. Specifically visiting some graves on the day of ‘Arafah and crowding around them in large numbers in resemblance to what pilgrims do on the mountain of ‘Arafah.
7. Visiting a deceased’s grave early on the morning following the burial in order to “alleviate his loneliness.”
8. Sleeping a number of nights (up to forty) by a deceased’s grave.
Section II. Unsubstantiated Rituals
Standing quietly by the gate of the cemetery, as if asking permission to enter.
Standing near the grave with hands on the chest, as if in prayer.
Performing Tayammum upon reaching the graves.
Visiting the Graves: Mistakes

115. Slaughtering and sacrificing animals by the grave.
4. Reversing the salaam by saying ‘alaykum us-salam instead of assalamu ‘alaykum to the dead (based upon a misinterpreted hadith in this regard).
5. Giving admonishment in the graveyards during nights with a full moon.
6. Raising the voice among the graves with “La ilaha illa Allah” or other forms of dhikr.
Seeking help from the dead person or asking him to supplicate for the visitors.
Visiting the grave for the purpose of supplication, and believing that the supplications are more acceptable there.
Slaughtering and sacrificing animals by the grave.
Sitting on the grave.
Visiting the Graves: Mistakes

116. Section III. Praying and Reciting Qur’an: Mistakes
Starting the visit with praying two rak’at, reading in them al-Fatihah, Ayat ul-Kursi, and surat ul-Iklas, and offering the prayer’s blessings to the deceased.
Reciting surat ul-Ikhlas or Ya-Sin over the graves (based on fabricated hadiths, as was indicated earlier).
Paying someone to recite Qur’an over a grave, and offering the reward of the recitation to the deceased.
Offering the blessings of one’s act of worship (like prayer and Qur’anic recitation) to the dead Muslims.
Taking mushafs to the graveyards to read from them, or placing them on the graves for others to read.
Praying in the direction of the grave.
Praying near the grave.

117. Section IV. The Prophets and Righteous
Traveling specifically to visit the graves of the prophets and other righteous people.
Asking the visitors of the graves of the prophets or other righteous people to convey their salams to them.
Calling the visitors of the graves of the prophets or some righteous people “pilgrims”.
Touching and kissing the graves of the prophets and other righteous people.
Making tawaf (circumambulation) around the grave of the prophets and other righteous people.
Visiting the Graves: Mistakes

118. Putting curtains around the prophet’s or righteous people’s graves.
Visiting Yahya’s (as) tomb in the Umawi Mosque (in Damascus) on Saturday mornings, and believing that doing that forty times is a means of atonement.
Believing that the supplications are acceptable by the graves of the prophets and other righteous people.
Putting curtains around the prophet’s or righteous people’s graves.
Believing that sustenance and victory are granted to a town because it has the grave of a specific righteous person in it.
Note: Information on this list was taken from The Inevitable Journey: Funerals Regulation & Exhortations by Muhammad al-Jibaly published by Al-Kitaab & as-Sunnah Publishing.

119. Special Issues “So ask those who know the Scripture, if you know not.”
-Surat an-Nahl: 42

120. FAQs Can women visit sick men? Is it okay to visit a dying non-Muslim?
Severed body parts?
Salaat ul-janaazah for the aborted and the miscarried?

121. FAQs 5. Issues of women in mourning.
Period: 4 months and 10 days, approx days.
Widow will stay at husband’s house
It is permissible to leave for necessity, for example, a job, hospital, school, groceries.
‘Iddah can be at another place of danger for her.
No beautification
No jewelry
No direct proposals for marriage

122. Please fill out your surveys!
Survey/Evaluation
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The Prophet sal Allahu alahyi wa sallam said: The religion is sincere advice. – Sahih Muslim
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
“Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim.” It was said to him: “Allah’s Messenger, what are these?” Thereupon he said: “When you meet him, offer him greetings; when he invites you to a feast accept it, when he seeks your council give him, and when he sneezes and says:” All praise is due to Allah,” you say “Yarhamuk Allah” (may Allah show mercy to you); and when he fails ill visit him; and when he dies follow his bier.”
– Sahih Muslim

123. JazaakumAllaahu khairan
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