1. Islamic Studies Courses in Chabot, Ohlone, Mission and De Anza Colleges Designed and Taught by Hafiz M. K. Siddiqi, Ph.D. Position of Islam Regarding sickness, Treatment, Near Death Period, Death, Barzakh (Death to Judgment Day Waiting period) and Life after Death

2. Sickness and Healing in the Holy Qur’an Allah swt said about the Holy Qur’an: O’ Humankind! There has come to you an Exhortation from your Lord, and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts and a guidance and mercy for those who believe. 10/57 Allah swt said in the Story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) Pbuh, referring to his sickness : ”and when I am sick, it is He (Allah) who cures me” 26/80

3. “We send down (stage by stage) in the Qur’an that which is a healing and mercy to those who believe”. 17/82 “And He heals the hearts of believing People”. 9/14 “Say it is a guide and healing to those who believe”. 41/44 “There issues from their bodies a drink of varying colors wherein is healing for people” 16/69 “Peace (and recovery) has said the Merciful Lord”. 36/58

4. Sickness and Healing in the Hadith Prophet Muhammad pbuh said: there is no disease that Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment. Hadith #582 from Bukhari. The story of a man whose brother has pain in his stomach: Hadith #588 When visiting a sick person say “ Don’t worry, your sickness will be an expiation for your sins, God willing”. Hadith # 566 from Bukhari. So it is a duty of a Muslim to go to a Doctor when sick, and visit a sick person, when someone is sick.

5. When visiting a sick person, follow the etiquettes of visiting a sick person: 1. Say the grace 2. Pray for the speedy recovery 3. Advice him/her to patiently persevere 4. Do not stay very long unless the patient Wishes you to stay longer 5. Give him/her hope and comfort him with your beautiful words 6. The Du’a (Supplication) of a sick person is answered, Therefore ask the sick person to pray for you A Muslim should visit non-Muslim sick patients as Well as Muslims. Prophet pbuh, visited non-Muslim Patients.

6. You may combine the treatment with spiritual Healing from the names, attributes of Allah swt, And verses of the Qur’an. It is not allowed to assign Partners in seeking spiritual cure (Going to the grave of Holy people and asking them to help). A man asked the prophet “which of the humankind are better?” He said: who lives a long life and who works righteous deeds. Then he asked “ which of the humankind are worst?” He said: who lives a long life and works evil deeds. (Tirmidhi)

7. Check ups and consultations with your Doctors Men should go to a male Doctor and women go to a lady Doctor for check up and treatment except when forced with the necessity. Visiting a Doctor and taking medicine is necessary and not against faith in Allah (God) as believed by some traditions. On the contrary, lack of care and negligence of your health is a sin. Your life is a trust of Allah swt, and you are required to take good care of it, by taking medicine when sick, and food when hungry. Special reading from the Holy Qur’an recommended for the sick people: The chapters 36, 56, 59, 67, 112,113, 114, and Verses: 9/14, 10/57, 16/69, 17/82, 26/80, 41/44.

8. Diet, dress and socializing codes Diet, dress and socializing codes A Muslim is required to continue to follow the diet code, dress code, socializing code etc., even in the state of sickness, at home and in the Hospital. Euthanasia or mercy killing is not allowed, because there is no mercy in killing. One should patiently deal with hardships, diseases, and natural disasters. The story of the epileptic lady who came to Prophet Muhammad pbuh and Prophet’s answer to her. If someone is sick, in pain, or under any other difficult circumstances, he/she should patiently persevere and must not even think to commit suicide which is not allowed.

9. Supplication for death To pray to Allah or to wish to die is not allowed. In extreme pain you may say in your supplication: O’Allah! Let me live as long as life is good for me, and let me die when death is good for me. The medicines with unlawful contents: are not allowed except when no alternative is available. Near death conditions: members of the dying Person’s family should recite Surah 36 of the holy Qur’an and articles of faith near a dying person. Don’t ask the dying person to say or read the article of faith or the Holy Qur’an.

10. Death and Preparation for Burial When he/she dies, say “ To Allah we (all) belong, and to Him is our return” 2/156, close the eyes of dead person, tie his/her toes, inform the family and Friends. The preparation to wash the body, wrap it into unstitched sheets, and the burial, should be as quickly as possible. A dead person will be given a full bath in a religiously defined method. There are gender restrictions: A male person will bathe a male and vice versa. The body of a male will be wrapped Into three unstitched pieces of white cloth and a woman’s body in five pieces.

11. Then some camphor and perfume will be applied to the body/wrapping of the deceased. Then the wrapped body will be tied in 3 Places: above the head, after the feet, and in the middle. Once the preparations are complete, the body will be taken to the Mosque for the performance of funeral prayer (Salatul-Janazah), offered as a group, placing the dead body in front of Imam, this prayer is without Adhan, Ruku’, Sajdah, and Qa’dah. It is 4 Rak’ah performed in standing position only after one of the five daily prayers, mostly during the day light hours.

12. The Funeral Prayer is a reminder of: 1. No matter how long you live, you will die one day 2. Allah is Glorified because He is the source of all life and He is the One who causes the death 3. The divine mercy and blessings be upon the prophets and messengers who had honestly and completely conveyed the Messages of Allah swt 4. A supplication for the Deceased which has a very strong recommendation For those who are living and offering this prayer to Think about their own death and start a better life.

13. After the funeral prayer the deceased is carried on the shoulders of Muslims to the grave yard for the Burial. In the grave yard the graves must be dugged In a specific way as regard to the position of dead person’s head and feet in the grave. When the body is lowered in the grave, Muslims should recite: in the name of Allah and on the tradition of prophet Pbuh. Then they should throw 3 handful of dirt in to The grave while reciting the verse 20/55. A final Du’a (Supplication) is said after filling the grave with mud.

14. If there is a special will left by the deceased about burial in his homeland etc., it will be followed otherwise, a person should be buried in the town where he died. If the will contains un-Islamic wish, it will not be fulfilled i.e. to cremate. The debts of The deceased will be paid first before the distribution of inheritance whether there is a will or Not. One should always pay his/her loans and debts Of all kinds before the death. It is very highly emphasized by the prophet pbuh, with his words and actions, how bad it is to leave behind your debts.

15. The debt was the first thing Prophet Muhammad pbuh, used to ask about the deceased before leading the funeral prayer. He would only lead the prayer if the deceased is debt free. The relatives, friends and the neighbors should take the cooked food to the house where the death has occurred. The maximum time for offering your condolences is up to three Days from the time of death. If someone dies while a person was traveling etc; then you may offer your Condolences after returning from your journey.

16. Important Questions: What is Barzakh? What happens to the spirit after the death? What happens in the grave? Can you Send gifts for your loved one who have died? How? Do our loved ones know about or gifts? What is the meaning of prophet’s saying: don’t insult your loved one who have passed away? Who are the Three groups: 1. Assabiqun: the foremost in race 2. As-habul Yamin: the companions of right hand 3. As-habush Shimal: the companions Of the left hand