It is a fundamental Islamic teaching that death, rather than being the end of someone’s life, is the start of the third stage of it. At the point of death, a person’s soul is said to rise up within them. An angel called Malikul Mawt (Angel of Death) then arrives to remove the soul.
When it becomes known that a Muslim is dying, family members can often be found at his or her side, helping their dying relative to think about their transgressions and praying for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. However, time is of the essence, as Islam teaches that Allah does not accept repentance evoked by last minute panic or regret.
Visits and prays prior to death are just the beginning of a process that is implemented for every Muslim in the final stages of their life. There are a range of preparations and customs that must be adhered to in accordance with Islamic law, that involve not only the family and friends of the dying person, but also the wider Muslim community.
Upon death, those present normally close the eyes of the deceased, bind the lower jaw to the head and cover the body with a clean sheet. The family then wash the body in accordance with Islamic rites and, unless a spouse is present, males must wash males and females must wash females. This usually takes place privately three or five times using water, soap and a cloth and, after washing, the body is shrouded with white material. Embalming is prohibited, as is an autopsy, unless required by law.
The local community joins the deceased’s family for funeral prayers (Salat-ul-Janazah), a collective obligation for Muslims, and people line up in rows, with the coffin on a stand in front of them. Often taking place outside the Mosque, at certain times of the day according to the sun’s progression, the purpose of the funeral prayers is to request pardons for all deceased Muslims. The most closely related male leads these silent prayers, though the Imam, or another knowledgeable Muslim, may do so if necessary.
The burial follows the completion of the funeral prayers, and is required by Islamic law to take place within three days of the actual time of death. Only men are permitted to attend the burial, and chosen members of the attending group must carry the body to the graveyard at shoulder level. A coffin may or may not be used, and if one is used then it must be made of wood rather than steel, as the aim is to allow the earth to reclaim the body in as short a time as possible.
Following the burial, for several days, people who knew the deceased will take gifts and food to the deceased’s family.
With origins dating back to 1853, E.F. Box are one of the oldest funeral directors within the UK. They offer a range of funeral services across a variety of faiths, beliefs and ways of celebrating life.