DEATH (MAUT). TOPICS FREQUENT REMEMBRANCE OF DEATH WHAT A DYING PERSON SHOULD DO FEAR AND HOPE WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO MEET ALLAH FULFILLING HIS OBLIGATIONS.

DEATH

(MAUT)(MAUT)

TOPICSFREQUENT REMEMBRANCE OF DEATHWHAT A DYING PERSON SHOULD DOFEAR AND HOPE WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO MEET ALLAHFULFILLING HIS OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS PEOPLEFINAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WILLWHAT TO DO FOR A DYING PERSONSUPPLICATING AND SAYING GOOD THINGSAVOIDING SINNING AND INNOVATIONSWHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIESPAYING OFF THE DEBTSGRIEVING AND MOURNING OVER DEATHOBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND PROHIBITED PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH GRIEVING, MOURNING AND OFFERING CONDOLENCESPERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVINGMOURNING UP TO THREE DAYSFORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE PRESENTANNOUNCING DEATHCONDOLENCEDESIGNATING A PLACE FOR RECEIVING CONDOLENCESAL-HUDA STUDENTS’ CONCERNSCONCLUSION WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Kullu Nafsin Zaaiqa tul Maut Kullu Nafsin Zaaiqa tul Maut “Everyone shall taste death”“Everyone shall taste death”

A simple Guide to the stages of A simple Guide to the stages of sickness, death, funeral andsickness, death, funeral and

burial from the authentic texts of burial from the authentic texts of the Quraan & the Sunnahthe Quraan & the Sunnah

FREQUENT REMEMBRANCE OF FREQUENT REMEMBRANCE OF DEATHDEATH

Constant reminders of death are a means of controlling our desires and restraining our

greed for the dunya. Anas and Abu Huraira (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :ssaid ((رضي

“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, al 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 DOWHAT A DYING PERSON SHOULD DOA dying person should have good thoughts and hopes towards Allah

(SWA) and looking forward to His blessings and forgiveness. Jabir Bin Abdillah (RA) reported that the Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said ((رضي

“None of you should die without having good expectations in Allah”. (Muslim)

FEAR AND HOPE WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO MEET ALLAH Anas (RA) reported that the Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله visited a young ((رضي

man who was dying. He asked him, “How do you feel?”

He replied, “By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I have hope in Allah, and I fear my sins.”

The Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said ((رضي“These two qualities do not dwell together in a person’s heart in this situation (of

death) but Allah (SWA) will grant him what he hopes, and save him from what he fears.”

Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said ((رضي“Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves meeting him. And whoever hates

meeting Allah, Allah hates meeting him”.

FULFILLING HIS OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS FULFILLING HIS OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS PEOPLEPEOPLE

Abu Huryrah radhiallahu anhu reported that the Prophet (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله ,asked ((رضي

“Do you know who is truly ruined?” The sahabah replied,

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

He (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :then informed ((رضي“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 WILLFINAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WILL

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

Jabir Bin Abdillah (RA) reported 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 companions to be killed tomorrow. I am not leaving

after me any soul more dear to me than you---except for Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله I owe some debts, so . ((رضيpay them off. And take good care of your brothers and

sisters”. (Al-Bukhari)

WHAT TO DO FOR A DYING PERSONWHAT TO DO FOR A DYING PERSON

Gently but firmly encourage them to say the Shahadah ---La illaha illa Allah--- there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, This is called talqeen.

Abu Saeed al Khudri, Abu Huraira, and others reported that Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said ((رضي

“Prompt your dying ones to say “La ilaha illa Allah”. Anyone who concludes his speech at the time of death with “La ilaha illa Allah”

will enter Jannah one day, regardless of what happens to him prior to that”.

Ibn Masood (RA) reported that Allah’s Messengers (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله ((رضيsaid:

“Prompt your dying ones to say “La ilaha illa Allah”. 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”.

SUPPLICATING AND SAYING GOOD SUPPLICATING AND SAYING GOOD THINGSTHINGS

When visiting a dying person, one should supplicate When visiting a dying person, one should supplicate sincerely for him and say good things that give him sincerely for him and say good things that give him glad tidings. Umm Salamah (RA) reported that glad tidings. Umm Salamah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said:said ( (رضي

  ““When you are present with a sick or dying person, When you are present with a sick or dying person, say good things, because the angels endorse what say good things, because the angels endorse what

you say (by saying Ameen).”you say (by saying Ameen).”

AVOIDING SINNING AND AVOIDING SINNING AND INNOVATIONSINNOVATIONS

People present with a dying person should People present with a dying person should avoid acts of disobedience and practices that avoid acts of disobedience and practices that are not proven by the authentic sunnah. are not proven by the authentic sunnah.

  Examples of such Innovations are recitation of Examples of such Innovations are recitation of

Surah Ya-SeenSurah Ya-Seen and turning the dying person and turning the dying person to face the direction of to face the direction of QiblaQibla..

WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON

DIES:DIES: When a person’s soul leaves his body, those present should do a

number of things:1.1.Closing the EyesClosing the Eyes Umm Salamah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله ((رضي

visited 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 the

Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said ((رضي “Do not say but good things, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to what

you say”. And he added:“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: WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES: CONT’DCONT’D

2.Supplication2.Supplication The angels say Ameen to whatever is said at the time of death,

as mentioned in the previous Hadith. This is a time of acceptance of duas, so one should make sincere duas for the deceased, asking Allah to forgive him, have mercy on him and let him into His Jannah, as the Prophet ( ( عنه الله عنه رضي الله did for ((رضيAbu Salamah.

3.Covering the Entire Body3.Covering the Entire Body The entire body should be covered with a sheet of cloth.

 Aishah (RA) reported:

 “When Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله passed away, he was ((رضيcompletely covered with a soft embroidered piece of cloth”. (Al-

Bukhari, Muslim)

WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES: CONT’DWHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES: CONT’D4.Hurrying for the Funeral4.Hurrying for the FuneralMuslims should hasten to prepare the body for burial, and then

bury it as quickly as possible. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said ((رضي

“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 Death5.Burial in the Place of Death In compliance with the Prophet’s (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله command to hurry ((رضي

with the funeral, the body should not be transferred to another country, because that would delay the burial.

Jabir Bin Abdillah (RA) reported: “On the day of Uhud, the dead Muslims were carried to be buried in al-Baqi.

But then it was announced that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alaihi wasallam commands you to bury the dead ones in the place where they were killed”.

That 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 THE DEBTSPAYING OFF THE DEBTSAs 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 (RA) reported that the Prophet ( عنه الله (رضيonce prayed the morning prayer and then prayed Janazah for a dead 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 the Prophet ( الله رضي

.(عنه The Prophet ( عنه الله :said (رضي“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, an-Nasai)

GRIEVING AND MOURNING OVER GRIEVING AND MOURNING OVER DEATHDEATH

It is natural for the family, relatives and friends of the dead person to grieve for his departure.

Emotional ties

Feeling of dependability

Feelings of kindness and concern about what will happen to him

Islaam does not prohibit grieving, but prohibits wrong actions and practices associated with it.

OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND PROHIBITED PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH PROHIBITED PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH

GRIEVING, MOURNING AND OFFERING GRIEVING, MOURNING AND OFFERING CONDOLENCESCONDOLENCES

Submission to Allah’s DecreeSubmission to Allah’s DecreeBe patientBe patientTrust that Allah (SWA) will reward him for his afflictionTrust that Allah (SWA) will reward him for his afflictionDeclare that he belongs to Allah and unto Him he will returnDeclare that he belongs to Allah and unto Him he will returnPatience----Part of Allah’s decree is for one to display patience Patience----Part of Allah’s decree is for one to display patience and acceptance of the calamity that struck himand acceptance of the calamity that struck himPatience should be manifest from the beginning, not marred or Patience should be manifest from the beginning, not marred or damaged by the magnitude of the lossdamaged by the magnitude of the loss

  Allah’s Messenger Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said: said ((رضي

““Indeed patience should be displayed at the beginning of the Indeed patience should be displayed at the beginning of the affliction”affliction”. (Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others).. (Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others).

OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND PROHIBITED… PROHIBITED… CONT’DCONT’D

IhtishabIhtishab

One should look forward to Allah’s rewards and forgiveness for One should look forward to Allah’s rewards and forgiveness for every affliction that occurs to him, regardless of its magnitude---every affliction that occurs to him, regardless of its magnitude---this is called Ihtisaab.this is called Ihtisaab.

Death being a great affliction one should hope that Allah (SWA) Death being a great affliction one should hope that Allah (SWA) will surely reward those who display sincere Ihtisaab.will surely reward those who display sincere Ihtisaab.

Abdullah Bin Amr (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger Abdullah Bin Amr (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said: said ((رضي

““When Allah takes away from His believing servant his beloved When Allah takes away from His believing servant his beloved one of the people of the earth, if he displays patience and one of the people of the earth, if he displays patience and

Ihtisaab, Allah will not then accept any reward for him less than Ihtisaab, Allah will not then accept any reward for him less than Jannah”.Jannah”.

OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND PROHIBITED… PROHIBITED… CONT’DCONT’D

IstirjaIstirjaOne should express the belief in Allah’s Sovereignty One should express the belief in Allah’s Sovereignty over everything.over everything.Submission to his decree.Submission to his decree.One should frequently, thoughtfully, and truthfully One should frequently, thoughtfully, and truthfully proclaim Istirja, which is saying proclaim Istirja, which is saying “Inna lillahi wa inna “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raajioon”ilayhi raajioon”

Allah (SWA) says:Allah (SWA) says:

““But give glad tidings to the patient—those who, when But give glad tidings to the patient—those who, when afflicted with a calamity, say, ‘Truly, to Allah we afflicted with a calamity, say, ‘Truly, to Allah we

belong; and truly, to Him will we return.’ It is those who belong; and truly, to Him will we return.’ It is those who will be awarded blessings and mercy from their Lord; will be awarded blessings and mercy from their Lord;

and it is those who are the guided ones.”and it is those who are the guided ones.”

PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVINGPERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING

Uncovering and Kissing the Dead Person

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

Aishah (RA) reported:Aishah (RA) reported:

““The Prophet The Prophet (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله entered to where the entered to where the ((رضيbody of Uthmaan Bin Mazoon was, uncovered his body of Uthmaan Bin Mazoon was, uncovered his face, leaned over him, kissed him, and cried until I face, leaned over him, kissed him, and cried until I

saw the tears running down his cheeks.”saw the tears running down his cheeks.”

PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING…PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING…CONT’DCONT’D

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 (RA) accompanied Allah’s Messenger to Abu Sayf’s house when Ibraheem’s soul was departing from his body. Allah’s Messenger’s

(( عنه الله عنه رضي الله eyes started shedding tears, and Abdur Rahmaan Bin Awf ((رضيexclaimed,

“Even you (cry) O Allah’s Messenger!?” As his tears continued falling, Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said ((رضي“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 Ibraheem.”

(Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others).

“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 tongue).”

(Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING…PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING…CONT’DCONT’D

HidaadHidaad

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

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

MOURNING UP TO THREE DAYSMOURNING UP TO THREE DAYS

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

Umm Habibah (RA) the Messenger’s Umm Habibah (RA) the Messenger’s (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله ((رضيwife , said the she heard Allah’s Messenger say:wife , said the she heard Allah’s Messenger say:

“ “ It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn over a dead person more and the Last Day to mourn over a dead person more than three days----except for her husband, where she than three days----except for her husband, where she

mourns for four months and ten days.”mourns for four months and ten days.”

FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE PRESENTPRESENT

WailingWailing

It is permissible to grieve for a beloved one, but if the grief 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 exceeds the limits and becomes a form of objection to Allah’s decree, it becomes totally prohibited.decree, it becomes totally prohibited.

Wailing may cause suffering for the deceased in his grave or the Wailing may cause suffering for the deceased in his grave or the hereafter.hereafter.

Wailing---weeping or crying that exceeds moderateness to the Wailing---weeping or crying that exceeds moderateness to the level of screaming, and is often associated with words of level of screaming, and is often associated with words of excessive praise for the deceased or objection against Allah’s excessive praise for the deceased or objection against Allah’s decree.decree.

Hitting the cheeks.Hitting the cheeks.

Tearing the clothes etc.Tearing the clothes etc.

FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE PRESENT…CONT’DPRESENT…CONT’D

Wailing is an act of Jahiliyyah

Wailing is a practice that incurs a severe punishment on Wailing is a practice that incurs a severe punishment on the Day of Judgment.the Day of Judgment.

Abdullah Bin Umar and Imraan Bin Husayn (RA) Abdullah Bin Umar and Imraan Bin Husayn (RA) reported that the Prophet reported that the Prophet (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said:said ((رضي

““A dead person is punished in his grave because of his A dead person is punished in his grave because of his family’s crying over him.”family’s crying over him.”

““The one who is wailed over will be punished on the day The one who is wailed over will be punished on the day of Resurrection because of that wailing.”of Resurrection because of that wailing.”

ANNOUNCING DEATHANNOUNCING DEATHDefining Na’y-Na’y means announcing a person’s death.-Na’y means announcing a person’s death.-Na’y is usually necessary in order to invite the people to pray -Na’y is usually necessary in order to invite the people to pray

Janazah for the deceased, supplicate for him, and look after his Janazah for the deceased, supplicate for him, and look after his and his family’s affairs.and his family’s affairs.

-If the announcement reflects dissatisfaction with Allah’s decree, -If the announcement reflects dissatisfaction with Allah’s decree, excessive praise of the deceased, or an invitation to the people excessive praise of the deceased, or an invitation to the people to wail over him, it becomes prohibited and counts as a form of to wail over him, it becomes prohibited and counts as a form of na’y of Jahiliyya.na’y of Jahiliyya.

Prohibition of Na’yWhen someone died, Huthayfah Bin al-Yaman (RA) used to say:When someone died, Huthayfah Bin al-Yaman (RA) used to say:

““Do not announce his death to anyone. I am afraid that it would Do not announce his death to anyone. I am afraid that it would count as na’y, and I heard Allah’s Messenger count as na’y, and I heard Allah’s Messenger (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله ((رضي

prohibit na’y.”prohibit na’y.” (Tirmithi, Ibn Majah)(Tirmithi, Ibn Majah)

CONDOLENCECONDOLENCEVirtue of Consoling the MuslimsVirtue of Consoling the Muslims

-It is recommended to console the family and close ones to the -It is recommended to console the family and close ones to the deceased, telling them things to reduce their sorrow, raise their deceased, telling them things to reduce their sorrow, raise their hopes and help them be patient and submissive to Allah.hopes and help them be patient and submissive to Allah.

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

Anas Bin Malik (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger Anas Bin Malik (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (( الله الله رضي رضي:s said:aid ((عنهعنه

““Whoever consoles his brother in an affliction (that befell him), Whoever consoles his brother in an affliction (that befell him), Allah will clothe him with a green suit with which he will be Allah will clothe him with a green suit with which he will be

delighted on the Day of Resurrection.”delighted on the Day of Resurrection.”

-Offering condolences to the afflicted Muslims is an important -Offering condolences to the afflicted Muslims is an important expression of kindness and concern among.expression of kindness and concern among.

CONDOLENCE…CONT’DCONDOLENCE…CONT’D

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, 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.Usamah Bin Zaid (RA) reported that one of the Messenger’s

(( عنه الله عنه رضي الله ,daughter sent someone to summon him ((رضيbecause a child of hers was dying. He (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله told the ((رضيenvoy 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).”

CONDOLENCE…CONT’DCONDOLENCE…CONT’D

On hearing this, she sent again to her father, swearing that he must come. So the Prophet (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله ((رضيwent 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 (( الله الله رضي رضي lap, its breathing echoing as if in an empty water ((عنهعنهskin. His eyes shed some tears, and Sa’d exclaimed,

“How is it that you are weeping, O Allah’s Messenger, when you prohibited us from that?”

He replied:“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.”

CONDOLENCE…CONT’DDuration 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 FamilyIt 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 (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله learnt about the demise of Jafar ((رضي(RA), he commanded:

“Make food for Jafar’s family, because a matter has occurred diverting them (from normal life).

Aisha (RA) used 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 (( عنه الله عنه رضي الله :said ((رضي

“Verily, talbinah soothes a sick person’s heart, and removes some distress.” (Al-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 (RA) said:“We (the sahabah) considered gathering for the visiting the

deceased’s family, and making food after burying him, both acts of wailing.” Ahmad and others.

Imam Ash-Shafii 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 (RA).”

AL-HUDA STUDENTS’ CONCERNS:

AUTOPSYEMBALMINGDESEASED 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.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE…CONT’D 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.A MUSLIMS LIFE AND DEATH SHOULD BE IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS CREATOR.INNA SALATE WA NUSUKI WA MAHYA WA MAMATI LILLAHE RABIL AALAMEEN