There is rarely an open casket at an Islamic funeral. The funeral is typically held outside the mosque, in a location such as a prayer room, community square, or courtyard, where members of the community may gather. The body and all attendees are all turned to face Mecca, which is the holy center of Islam.
It is not recommended to bury the deceased in a coffin, because there is no report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or his companions did that, and it also involves imitating the people of this world.
Islamic law (“sharia”) dictates that funeral arrangements must start immediately after the death of a loved one. This means there is no viewing or visitation and mourners must attend their mosque's prayer room to offer religious prayers for the deceased.
[7] Because it is a collective obligation the entire Muslim community will be guilty if a Muslim body is not buried, unless the burial was beyond their knowledge or capacity. The rule in Islamic law is that every dead body should be buried in an individual grave.
In Islam, it is traditional to have a 40 day mourning period following a death. The period can be longer or shorter, depending upon the personal relationship one had with the deceased. While Muslims believe that the soul had judgment or trials immediately after death, families spend time in mourning for up to 40 days.
The general mourning period is three days following the death. Most families will stay together in a family home and receive guests- friends and more distant family coming to express condolences and offer prayers on behalf of the deceased and family.
"Every soul shall have a taste of death: In the end to us shall you be brought back (Qur'an 29:57)." What is a 'good death' for Muslims? It it when a person is surrounded by family and has an opportunity to reflect on past sins and seek forgiveness.
A person must be buried as soon as possible after death, says Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid, chairman for the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony in the UK. This is usually no more than 24 hours later. The reason for speedy burials partially stems from days when hygiene wasn't at its best, Dr Sajid says.
Equally the Quran says that: 'If anyone saves a life, it is as if he saves the lives of all humankind'. Thus many Muslims understand from this verse that donating one's organs is a blessed act. In 1995, the Muslim Law (Sharia) Council UK issued a fatwa, religious edict, saying organ donation is permitted.
He said, “Associating others with Allah (shirk); witchcraft; killing a soul whom Allah has forbidden us to kill, except in cases dictated by Islamic law; devouring orphans' wealth; consuming Riba; fleeing from the battlefield; and slandering chaste and innocent women.”
Trimming hair and nails
Generally, this emanates from the belief that nails and hair were given to the children by the deceased as a parent and as such they shouldn't be trimmed during the mourning period and after the burial. At least you should wait for 49 days.
Muslims are permitted to visit the grave and cemetery of non-Muslims for a time of reflection and remembrance, and to show honor for the deceased and the relationship shared. Muslims should not, however, participate in any funeral ritual or custom of a non-believer.
Visitors to the grave may recite supplications and recitations recommended by scholars. Visitors are strongly advised not to step on or over a grave or sit on a grave. Visitors are strongly discouraged to express sadness by wailing hysterically in a loud voice as this goes against the etiquettes of visiting graves.
Muslim tradition to bury without the coffin comes from an interpretation from the Koran, the Muslim holy book, which says “From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time.”
The sacred texts of Islam prefer burial on land, "so deep that its smell does not come out and the beasts of prey do not dig it out". However, if a person dies at sea and it is not possible to bring the body back to land before decay, or if burial at land becomes impossible, burial at sea is allowed.
Typically, funerals are held within a few days up to a week after the person's death. This gives the family enough time to make arrangements with the funeral home and contact the loved ones of the deceased.
This relationship is described as 'halal' (permitted), whereas any union of gametes outside a marital bond, whether by adultery or in the laboratory, is 'haraam' (forbidden). Therefore, donor sperm pregnancies are strictly forbidden in all schools of Islamic law.
It is generally agreed upon that an autopsy on an unidentified person following a severe accident is warranted and does not violate Islamic law. Additionally, when the law requires that an autopsy be performed, the Muslim should comply but inform the coroner's office so that arrangements can be made to proceed quickly.
Summary – Is IVF halal? In general, yes, in vitro fertilisation is acceptable in Islam, provided that it is for a married couple and both the egg and sperm come from this couple. This means that sperm or eggs embryo adoption isn't allowed.
After the prayer service and the burial, mourners may gather at the home of the immediate family. This is when it is appropriate to express your condolences to the family and support them in their grief. Plan to stay the entire day. Traditionally, a meal is served.
This is not the belief in Islam at all. It's completely against the teachings of Islam. For those of our loved ones who will be fortunate to be in paradise, if we are fortunate to be in paradise as well ... they will be able to meet up with each other.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) reminds us, “He whose last words are: La ilaha illal-lah, enters Paradise.” This method is called talqeen. The Prophet (pbuh) advised, “Prompt your dying people to say, 'Lailaha illal-lah'.”
“When a man dies, his good deeds come to an end, except three: Ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who will pray for him.” A Muslim can prepare for death by fostering one, two or all three of these greatly beneficial deeds during one's lifetime.
In Islam, death is seen as a natural event, and one's life is lived in preparation for the next. Sickness at the end of life may be painful or uncomfortable, or it may be peaceful and pain-free. However it happens, it's considered to be part of one's journey toward the end of life on earth.
This willful taking of one's own life is considered a major sin in Islam. Committing suicide to save oneself from suffering is discouraged. Islam teaches that in the face of hardship, one should not directly pray for death.