Death

‫موت‬
 TOPICS
•• FREQUENT
OBIGATORY, REMEMBRANCE
PERMISSIBLE, PROHIBITED
OF DEATH PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH GRIEVING,
• MOURNING
WHAT A DYINGAND OFFERING
PERSON CONDOLENCES
SHOULD DO
•• PERMISSIBLE
FEAR AND HOPE ACTS OF AGRIEVING
WITH STRONG
• DESIRE
MOURNING
TO MEET
UP TO
ALLAH
THREE DAYS
•• FULFILLING
FORBIDDENHISACTS
OBLIGATIONS
BY THOSE WHO
TOWARDS
ARE PRESENT
• PEOPLE
ANNOUNCING THE DEATH
•• FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
OFFERING AND WILL
CONDOLENCES
•• WHAT TO DO FOR
DESIGNATING A DYING
A PLACE FORPERSON
RECEIVING CONDOLENCES
•• SUPPLICATING AND SAYING
AL-HUDA STUDENTS’ GOOD
CONCERNS
• THINGS
CONCLUSION
•• AVOIDING
WHAT NEEDSSINNING
TO BEAND INNOVATIONS
DONE?
• WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES
• PAYING OFF THE DEBTS
• GRIEVING AND MOURNING OVER
DEATH
 ‫املوت ذائقة نفس كل‬
“Every soul shall taste death”
[Ankaboot:57]

A simple Guide through the stages of

sickness, death, funeral and burial from
the authentic texts of the Quran &
Sunnah
FREQUENT REMEMBRANCE OF DEATH

Constant reminders of death are a means of controlling our desires

and restraining our greed for the Dunya.
Anas and Abu Huraira (‫ )رضيهللا عنهما‬reported that
Rasoolallah (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:

“Frequently remember the destroyer of pleasures: death; none would

remember it availing a tightness of living but it would expand it for
him; and none would remember it while in an ease of living but it
would tighten it for him” [Ibn Hibban, Bayhaqi and others]

Remembering death helps a person not to despair when afflicted with

hardships nor become arrogant when favored by an easy life.
 WHAT A DYING PERSON SHOULD DO
A dying person should have good thoughts and hopes toward Allah (‫ ) سبحانه وتعالى‬and he should
look forward to Allah (‫’ ) سبحانه وتعالى‬s blessings and forgiveness.

Jabir Bin Abdillah ( ‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬reported that Rasoolallah (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:
“None of you should die without having good expectations in Allah”. [Muslim]

FEAR AND HOPE WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO MEET ALLAH

Anas (‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬reported that Rasoolallah (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬visited a young man who was dying.
He asked him,
“How do you feel?”
He replied, “By Allah, O Messenger of Allah (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬, I have hope in Allah (‫)س بحانه وتع ا لى‬,
and I fear my sins.”
Rasoolallah (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:
“These two qualities do not dwell together in a person’s heart except in this situation (of death) but
Allah (‫ ) سبحانه وتعالى‬will grant him what he hopes, and save him from what he fears.” [_____]

Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:

“Whoever loves to meet Allah (‫) سبحانه وتعالى‬, Allah (‫ ) سبحانه وتعالى‬loves meeting him. And whoever
hates meeting Allah (‫) سبحانه وتعالى‬, Allah (‫ ) سبحانه وتعالى‬hates meeting him”. [Muslim]
 FULFILLING ONES OBLIGATIONS
TOWARD PEOPLE
Abu Huraira reported ( ‫ ) رضيهللا عنه‬Rasoolallah (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:
"Do you know who is truly ruined?”

The Companions (‫ )رضيهللا عنهم‬replied,

“A ruined man among us is the one who does not posses money or property.”

He (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬then informed them:

“Indeed, a ruined person of my ummah is one who comes on the Day of
Resurrection with prayers, fasting and zakah.
However, he has 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]
 FINAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WILL

A dying person should make sure that his will is up to date and to
his liking. He should also give final instructions to his family and
friends and others around him, reminding them Of Allah and
directing them to take care of fulfilling his obligations after his
death.

Jabir Bin Abdillah ( ‫ ) رضيهللا عنه‬reported that on the eve of the

Battle of Uhud, his father summoned him and instructed him:

“I expect to be among the first of the Prophet’s ( ‫) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬

companions to be killed tomorrow. I am not leaving after me any
soul more dear to me than you---except for Allah’s Messenger
( ‫ ) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬. I owe some debts, so pay them off. And take
good care of your brothers and sisters”. [Al-Bukhari]
 SUPPLICATING AND SAYING GOOD
THINGS

When visiting a dying person, one should supplicate sincerely for him and
say good things that give him glad tidings.

Umm Salamah (‫ )رضيهللا عنها‬reported that Rasoolallah (‫)ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬
said:
 
“When you are present with a sick or dying person, say good things,
because the angels endorse what you say (by saying Ameen).” [_____]
 WHAT TO DO FOR A DYING PERSON
Gently but firmly encourage them to say the Shahadah

‫هللا اال ال اله‬

There is no one worthy of worship except Allah
This is called talqeen.

Abu Saeed al Khudri, Abu Huraira, and other Companions ( ‫ )رضيهللا عنهم‬reported that
Rasoolallah ( ‫)ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬
“Prompt your dying ones to say “ ‫”هللا االال اله‬. Anyone who
concludes his speech at the time of death with “ ‫ ”هللا االال اله‬will enter Jannah one day,
regardless of what happens to him prior to that”. [_____]

Ibn Masood ( ‫ ) رضيهللا عنه‬reported that Rasoolallah ( ‫ ) ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:

“Prompt your dying ones to say “ ‫” هللا االال اله‬.
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”.
[_____]
 AVOIDING SINNING AND
INNOVATIONS
People present with a dying person should avoid acts of disobedience
and practices that are not proven by the authentic sunnah.
 

Examples of such innovations include recitation of Surah Ya-Seen and

turning the dying person to face the direction of Qibla.
 WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES:
When a person’s soul leaves his body, those present should do a number of
things:

1)Closing the Eyes

 Umm Salamah (‫ )رضيهللا عنها‬reported that Rasoolallah (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬visited

Abu Salamah after his gaze became fixed (because of death). He closed his eyes
and said: 
“When the soul is taken, the eyesight follows it”.
 On hearing this, some of the relatives started weeping. So he (‫)ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬
said:
 “Do not say but good things, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to what you say”.
 And he (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬added:
“O Allah! Forgive Abu Salamah, elevate his position among the guided ones, and
raise good successors for him from among his progeny. Forgive us and him, O
Lord of the Peoples! Expand his grave; and illuminate it for him”.
 WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES...
2) Supplication

 The angels say Ameen to what is said at the time of death, as stated in the
previous Hadith. This is a time of acceptance of duas, so one should make
sincere dua for the deceased, asking Allah (‫ )س بحانه وتع ا لى‬to forgive and have
mercy on him and enter him into Jannah, as Rasoolallah ( ‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬did
for Abu Salamah.

3) Covering the Entire Body

 The entire body should be covered with a sheet of cloth.

 Aisha (‫ )رضيهللا عنها‬reported:
 “When Allah’s Messenger ( ‫ ) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬passed away, he was completely
covered with a soft embroidered piece of cloth”. [Bukhari, Muslim]
WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES...
4) Hurrying for the Funeral

Muslims should hasten to prepare the body for burial, and then bury it as quickly as possible.

Abu Huraira (‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬reported that Rasoolallah ( ‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:

“Hurry with a 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”. [_____]

5) Burial in the Place of Death

In compliance with Rasoolallah’s ( ‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬command to hurry with the funeral, the body
should not be transferred to another country, because that would delay the burial.

Jabir Bin Abdillah ( ‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬reported: “On the day of Uhud, the deceased Muslims were carried to be
buried in al-Baqi. But then it was announced that “Allah’s Messenger ( ‫ ) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬commands you
to bury the dead ones in the place where they were killed”. This was after my mother had loaded my
father and uncle (her brother) leveling their weights on the two sides of a camel. So they were all taken
back and buried where they were killed” [_____]
 PAYING OFF DEBTS
As soon as possible, the deceased’s debts should be paid off from whatever wealth he
left behind, even if that would exhaust all of it. If this is not possible, his closest
relatives and other Muslims are encouraged to pay on his behalf.

Sumurah bin Jundub (‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬reported that Rasoolallah (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬once
prayed the morning prayer and then prayed Janazah for a deceased man. After he
finished he asked the people,
“Is any of the family of such and such present”?
Everybody was silent at first. After he repeated his question three times, a man from
the back rows said,
“Here I am,”
and then dragging his garments, proceeded toward Rasoolallah ( ‫)ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬.
Rasoolallah ( ‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:
“What prevented you from responding to me in the first two times? I did not call out
your name except for something good. This man (the deceased) is restrained by his
debt from entering Jannah. So if you wish, ransom him; otherwise, surrender him to
Allah’s punishment!”
 Sumurah concluded,
“You should have seen his family and other relatives hurrying to pay off his debts, until
no one was left asking for anything from him.” [Abu Dawood, Nasai]
 GRIEVING AND MOURNING OVER
THE DEATH
It is natural for the family, relatives and friends of the deceased to
grieve for his departure.

•Emotional ties
•Feeling of dependability
•Feelings of kindness and concern about what will happen to him

Islam does not prohibit grieving, but prohibits wrong actions and
practices that are associated with it.
 OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND
PROHIBITED PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH
GRIEVING, MOURNING AND OFFERING
CONDOLENCES
Submission to Allah’s Decree
• Be patient
• Trust that Allah (‫ )س بحانه وتع ا لى‬will reward him for his affliction
• Declare that he belongs to Allah (‫ )س بحانه وتع ا لى‬and unto Him he will
return
• Patience----Part of Allah’s decree is for one to display patience and
acceptance of the calamity that struck him
• Patience should be manifest from the beginning, not marred or damaged
by the magnitude of the loss
 
Rasoolallah ( ‫ ) ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:
“Indeed patience should be displayed at the beginning of the affliction”.
[Bukhari, Muslim].
 OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND
PROHIBITED PRACTICES ...
Ihtisaab
One should look forward to Allah’s rewards and forgiveness for every affliction
that occurs to him, regardless of its magnitude---this is called Ihtisaab.

• Death being a great affliction one should hope that Allah (‫ )س بحانه وتع ا لى‬will
surely reward those who display sincere Ihtisaab.

Abdullah Bin Amr (‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬reported that Allah’s Messenger (‫)ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬
said:

“When Allah takes away from His believing servant his beloved one of the people
of the earth, if he displays patience and Ihtisaab, Allah will not then accept any
reward for him less than Jannah”.[_____]
 OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND
PROHIBITED PRACTICES ...
Istirja
• One should express the belief in Allah’s Sovereignty over
everything.
• Submission to his decree.
• One should frequently, thoughtfully, and truthfully proclaim
Istirja, which is saying “‫”راجعونﺍﻟﻴﻪ ﺍﻧﺎ و ﷲ ﺍﻧﺎ‬

Allah (‫ )س بحانه وتع ا لى‬says:

“But give glad tidings to the patient—those who, when afflicted
with a calamity, say, ‘Truly, to Allah we belong; and truly, to
Him will we return.’ It is those who will be awarded blessings
and mercy from their Lord; and it is those who are the guided
ones.”
 PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING

Uncovering and Kissing the Dead Person

Those who were permitted to kiss the deceased during his life are allowed to
kiss him after his death.

Aisha (‫ )رضيهللا عنها‬reported:

“The Prophet ( ‫ ) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬entered to where the body of Uthmaan Bin
Mazoon was, uncovered his face, leaned over him, kissed him, and cried until I
saw the tears running down his cheeks.” [_____]
 PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING...
Weeping
It is permissible to weep quietly over the dead, provided that it does not reach the level of wailing
and does not exceed three days.

Anas (‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬accompanied Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬to Abu Sayf’s house when
Ibrahim's soul was departing from his body.
Allah’s Messenger’s (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬eyes started shedding tears, and Abdurrahman Bin Awf
exclaimed,
“Even you (cry) O Allah’s Messenger ( ‫”?!) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬
As his tears continued falling, Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:
“O Ibn ‘Awf, it is a mercy! The eyes shed tears, the heart feels sad, but we only say things pleasing to
our Lord. We are indeed saddened by your departure, O Ibrahim.”
[Bukhari, Muslim]

“Allah does not punish for the tears of the eyes, nor the grief of the heart. But he punishes or gives
mercy because of this (pointing to his ( ‫’) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬s tongue).”
[Bukhari and Muslim]
 PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING...
Hidaad

Hidaad is a widowed woman’s abstinence from all things that would invite
others to desire her and seek marrying.

This includes wearing perfume, using incense, putting on eye liner, or other
forms of makeup, wearing jewelry, attractive clothes, and leaving the house
without need.

 
 MOURNING UP TO THREE DAYS

Except a wife for her husband, it is not permissible for a woman to mourn
more than three days over the death of a beloved one, such as her father,
mother, brother, son and so on

Umm Habibah ( ‫ )رضيهللا عنها‬the Messenger’s (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬wife , said

the she heard Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬say:

“ It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to
mourn over a dead person more than three days----except for her
husband, where she mourns for four months and ten days.”
 FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE
PRESENT
Wailing
• It is permissible to grieve for a beloved one, but if the grief exceeds
the limits and becomes a form of objection to Allah’s decree, it
becomes totally prohibited.
• Wailing may cause suffering for the deceased in his grave or the
hereafter.
• Wailing - weeping or crying that exceeds moderateness to the level
of screaming, and is often associated with words of excessive praise
for the deceased or objection against Allah’s decree.
• Hitting the cheeks, tearing the clothes etc.
 
FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE PRESENT...
Wailing is an act of Jahiliyyah

Wailing is a practice that incurs a severe punishment on the Day

of Judgment.
Abdullah Bin Umar and Imraan Bin Husayn (‫)رضيهللا عنهما‬
reported that the Prophet (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:
“A dead person is punished in his grave because of his family’s
crying over him.”
“The one who is wailed over will be punished on the day of
Resurrection because of that wailing.”
 ANNOUNCING THE DEATH
Defining Na’y
• Na’y means announcing a person’s death.
• Na’y is usually necessary in order to invite the people to pray Janazah for the
deceased, supplicate for him, and look after his and his family’s affairs.
• If the announcement reflects dissatisfaction with Allah’s decree, excessive
praise of the deceased, or an invitation to the people to wail over him, it
becomes prohibited and counts as a form of na’y of Jahiliyya.
Prohibition of Na’y
When someone died, Huthayfah Bin al-Yaman (‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬used to say:

“Do not announce his death to anyone. I am afraid that it would count as na’y, and
I heard Allah’s Messenger ( ‫ ) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬prohibit na’y.”
[Tirmithi, Ibn Majah]
 OFFERING CONDOLENCES
Virtue of Consoling the Muslims
• It is recommended to console the family and close ones to the deceased,
telling them things to reduce their sorrow, raise their hopes and help them be
patient and submissive to Allah (‫)س بحانه وتع ا لى‬.

• This is best done by saying things from the Sunnah.

Anas Bin Malik (‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬reported that Allah’s Messenger (‫)ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬
said:

“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.”[_____]

• Offering condolences to the afflicted Muslims is an important expression of

kindness and concern among.
 OFFERING CONDOLENCES...
What to Say?

• When consoling a Muslim, it is important to remind him of the triviality of this

life.

• Remind him that everything belongs to Allah (‫)س بحانه وتع ا لى‬, and that one
should submit patiently to His degree.

• Hopeful of Allah’s Mercy toward the beloved one that he lost.

• InshaAllah he will be united with him on a Day after which there is no parting.
 OFFERING CONDOLENCES...
Usamah Bin Zaid (‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬reported that one of the Messenger’s (‫)ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬
daughter sent someone to summon him, because a child of hers was dying. He ( ‫ص لىهللا عليه‬
‫ )وسلم‬told the envoy to say salaam to her and tell her:

“To Allah belongs what He took, and to Him belongs what He gave. Everything is recorded
with Him for an appointed term. So let her be patient and seek Allah’s reward (for her
affliction).”

On hearing this, she sent again to her father, swearing that he must come. So the Prophet
(‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬went to her with some of his companions, including Sa’d Bin Ubdah,
Muath Bin Jabal, Ubbayy Bin Kaab, Zayd Bin Thabit, and others.

The child was put in Allah’s Messenger’s (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬lap, its breathing echoing as if
in an empty water skin. His eyes shed some tears, and Sa’d exclaimed,
“How is it that you are weeping, O Allah’s Messenger ( ‫) صلىهللا عليه وسلم‬, when you
prohibited us from that?”
He (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬replied:
“I cry out of mercy for her, Allah only instills this mercy, in the heart of whomever He wills of
His servants; and indeed, Allah does not grant mercy except to the merciful among his
servants.” [_____]
 OFFERING CONDOLENCES...
Duration of the Consolation

• Contrary to mourning, offering condolences is not limited to three days, but should extend for as long
as there is a need for it.

Making Food for the Deceased’s Family

• It is recommended for the relatives and neighbors to make food for the deceased’s family, enough to
suffice them during the peak of their distress.
• When Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬learnt about the demise of Jafar (‫)رضيهللا عنه‬, he ( ‫ص لىهللا‬
‫ )عليه وسلم‬commanded:
“Make food for Jafar’s family, because a matter has occurred diverting them (from normal life).” [_____]
Aisha (‫ )رضيهللا عنها‬used to order giving talbinah (a broth made with flour or bran; and some honey may
be added to it) to the sick and those who are distressed for the loss of a beloved one, and she reported
that Allah’s Messenger (‫ )ص لىهللا عليه وسلم‬said:
“Verily, talbinah soothes a sick person’s heart, and removes some distress.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
• Many people have reversed the Sunnah by requiring from the deceased’s family to make food for other
people during their mourning!
DESIGNATING A PLACE FOR RECEIVING
CONDOLENCES
• A very common practice is gathering to offer condolences to the deceased’s
family and relatives in the house, or masjid or funeral home.
• This is a sinful innovation that becomes worse when the visitors expect from
the deceased’s family to offer them food, coffee, and other services.

Jarir Bin Abdillah al-Bajali ( ‫ )رضيهللا عنه‬said:

“We (the Companions) considered gathering for the visiting the deceased’s
family, and making food after burying him, both acts of wailing.” [Ahmad and
others]

Imam Ash-Shafi said:

“I dislike condolence gatherings, even if the people did not raise their voice
with crying. That surely renews the distress, burdens the people with
unnecessary expenses, and conflicts with the report of Jarir ( ‫)رضيهللا عنه‬.”
 AL-HUDA STUDENTS’ CONCERNS:

• AUTOPSY
• EMBALMING
• DESEASED SISTERS HANDLED BY MALE STAFF AT THE HOSPITAL.
• THE STAFF PRESENT AT THE TIME OF DEATH DOES NOT CLOSE
THE EYES, STRAIGHTEN THE ARMS AND LEGS OR CLOSE THE
MOUTH ETC.
• BODY IS SENT TO THE MORGUE, WHERE IT IS KEPT UNATTENDED
AND UNCOVERED.
• WHEN THE BODY BAG IS REMOVED THERE ARE NO CLOTHES
UNDER IT.
 AFTER VISITING MANY HOSPITALS AND
TALKING TO THE STAFF, I CONCLUDED THE
FOLLOWING:

• INFORMATION CONCERNING MUSLIM PATIENTS IS AVAILABLE TO THE

STAFF IN THE FORM OF BOOKLETS AND BROCHURES.

• MUSLIM VOLUNTEERS SHOULS VISIT PATIENTS WHEN THE NEED

ARISES.
 WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
• THE FAMILY OF THE PATIENT SHOULD BE PRESENT AND INFORM THE STAFF AT THE HOSPITAL OF
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE TIME OF DEATH AND AFTER DEATH HAS OCCURRED.

• INSPITE OF ALL THE INFORMATION THAT THE HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY MASJIDS AND
ISLAMIC CENTERS THE STAFF NEEDS TO BE INFORMED ON A REGULAR BASIS AS STAFF CHANGES
WITH EVERY SHIFT.

• MUSLIMS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE GRAFIC AND DEGRADING PROCEDURES OF

EMBALMING AND AUTOPIES.

• TRANSPORTING A DEAD BODY TO ANOTHER COUNTRY IS AGAINST THE SUNNAH AND NOT
PERMISSIBLE.

• EVEN IF A MUSLIM WANTS TO DO SO THE NEXT OF KIN SHOULD INFORM THEM OF THE ISLAMIC
RULING WHILE THEY ARE ALIVE.

• IF A MUSLIM HAS PUT THIS DOWN IN HIS WILL, IT SHOULD BE CHANGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE ISLAMIC SHARIAH.

• EDUCATING OURSELVES ABOUT DEATH AND FUNERALS ACCORDING TO THE QURAAN AND
AUTHENTIC SUNNAH AND BECOMING AWARE OF INNOVATIONS.
‫و نسكى و محياى و مماتى صالتى ان قل‬
‫هلل رب العالمين‬
Say, Indeed my prayer and my sacrifice and
my living and my dying (is) for Allah Lord of
the Worlds. [Anam:162]