Week 11 Islamic Funeral Rites

Journey to the Hereafter

Exploring Islamic Funeral Rites

Important Terminology

• Al-Ghusl (Ghusl)- practical and ceremonial washing of a deceased Muslim.

• Allah-in The Islam faith, the name for God.

• Imam- In the Islam faith, the leader of the local congregation.

• Islam- the religion of Muslims (Moslems) that began at the time of Mohammed; Muslims believe that Islam stands for purity, peace, submission to God’s (Allah’s) will, and obedience to

   his laws.

• Jinazah- In the Islam faith the funeral or funeral prayer.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Important Terminology

• Kafan- burial garments utilized by Muslims.

• Koran (Qur’an)- the holy book of the Islamic faith as revealed to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel.

•  Mecca (Qiblah)- The holiest city in the Islamic faith; Muslims are buried facing this city.

• Mohammed (Muhammad)- a prophet of the Islamic religion born in 571 C.E.; considered by Muslims to be God’s messenger but he is not worshiped or considered divine.

• Mosque (Masjid)- local Islamic religious facility containing no icons, statutes, symbols, pews, chairs or musical instruments.
  

•  Muslim-  The name given to a member of the Islamic faith.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

Islamic Funeral Rites

• Introduction: Learn about the rituals and customs followed in Islamic funeral rites.

• Importance: Understand the significance of honoring the deceased and providing comfort to the bereaved.

• Key Practices: Explore the washing, shrouding, and burial procedures in Islamic funerals.

• Etiquettes: Discover the terminology and etiquettes associated with a Muslim funeral.

Significance of Honoring the Deceased

• Islamic funeral rites focus on honoring the deceased and providing comfort to the bereaved.
• Washing, shrouding, and burial procedures are important aspects of Islamic funerals.
• Etiquettes and prayers associated with attending a Muslim funeral are observed.

Preparation of the Body

• Ghusl: Ritual washing of the deceased

• Kafan: Wrapping the body in white cloth, 3 winding sheets for a male, 2 winding sheets for a female.

• Perfuming: Applying fragrance to the body: Soap. water, lotus leaves, and camphor

• Shrouding: Placing the body in a simple burial shroud-In a Kafan

• Prayers: Praying for the deceased's forgiveness and mercy

Ghusl: Ritual Washing

• Ghusl is the ritual washing of the deceased in Islamic funeral rites.

• It is performed by close family members or trained individuals.

• The body is washed three times with tayammum or water, starting with the right side.

• Special attention is given to the areas that come into contact with impurities.

• After the washing, the body is wrapped in a simple white shroud or Kafan.

Ghusl in Islamic Funeral Rites

To purify the body from impurities. Ghusl is a ritual washing performed on the deceased in Islamic funeral rites. It is a sacred act of purification, ensuring that the body is cleansed before burial. Ghusl is an important part of honoring the deceased and preparing them for their final resting place.

​Shrouded Muslim Body

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of ghusl in Islamic funeral rites?

• To prepare the body for burial

• To purify the body

• To wrap the body in a white shroud

• To perform a ritual washing of the deceased

Kafan: Shrouding the Body

Kafan is the Islamic practice of wrapping the deceased in a simple white cloth. It symbolizes equality in death and detachment from worldly possessions. The shroud should cover the entire body, with separate pieces for men and women. It is a solemn and respectful ritual performed by family members or trained individuals.

Multiple Choice

What does the Islamic practice of shrouding in the Kafan symbolize?

• Equality in life and death

• Attachment to worldly possessions

• Separate pieces for men and women

• Solemn and respectful ritual

Islamic Funeral Rites

• Qiblah: The direction of Mecca, toward which Muslims face during prayers

• Janazah: Funeral prayer performed by the community

  • Typically without a casket

  • See placement at the mosque pg 110

• Burial: Placing the body in the grave, facing Mecca

  • Recommended in Muslim Cemeteries, Mid-America Muslim Cemetery

  • Dug with hollowed chamber-see pg 109

  • Only male members of the family will go to the cemetery

  • The family is very involved with closing the grave.

Multiple Choice

What are some of the rituals involved in Islamic funeral rites?

• • Qiblah, Kafan, Janazah, Ghusl, Burial

• Tahara, Kafan, Janazah, Etiquettes

• Tahara, Kafan, Burial, Cremation

• Kafan, Janazah, Burial, Cremation

Islamic Funeral Rites

Qiblah, Kafan, Janazah, Ghusl, and Burial are some of the rituals involved in Islamic funeral rites. Ghusl refers to the ritual washing and purification of the deceased. Kafan is the shroud in which the deceased is wrapped. Janazah is the funeral prayer performed for the deceased. Burial is the act of burying the deceased. Etiquettes include respecting the deceased and offering condolences to the family.

Islamic Funeral Rites

• No visitation

• No viewing

• No flowers

• No loud expressions of grief

• The mourning period is 3 days

• The widow is permitted to mourn for 4 months and 10 days.