JANAAZAH

DEATH AND BURIAL OF A MUSLIM

PART 10

 

THE MUHTADHAR

A person on whom the signs of DEATH are clearly seen is called a MUHTADHAR. It is SUNNAT to let him lie on his RIGHT side facing the QIBLAH. It is permitted that he be positioned to lie on his BACK with his FEET towards the QIBLAH, and the head slightly raised with a cushion so that it faces the Qiblah. all the bed linen must be PAAK. If moving the Muhtadhar causes him any discomfort then leave him in any convenient position.

  • It is desirable to use LOBAAN, itr or any other aromatics that are Paak in the room. Anyone who is in the state of Janaabat, Haiz or Nifaas must leave the apartment.
  • At this time the recitals of Surahs YASEEN (starting at the 17th Ruku of the 22nd Para) and RA'D (beginning at the 6th Ruku of the 13th Para) is recommended. This may be done in the same room. When one is incapable of reciting the Qur'an, someone else may be requested to recite these Surahs or any other portion of the Qur'an.

THE TALQEEN

  • TALQEEN is to remind the dying person of the two SHAHADATS, (i.e. Ash hadu alla ilaha illallahu was ash hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasuluh). When the end nears the dying person's breath quickens, the knees becomes so weak that they cannot move, the nose becomes bent and the temples subside. By these signs understand that the person is nearing the end.
  • The Talqeen should be read before the dying person takes hits last breaths. The Muhtadhar must NOT he asked or ORDERED to read the Kalimah, but must be helped to recall it. This can easily he done by reciting the Kalimah aloud while being present in the room. Once the departing person utters the Kalimah all who are present should remain SILENT. The dying person should NOT be drawn into, any WORLDY discussions, but if he discusses any worldly affair, then the Talqeen should be repeated.
  • After the Muhtadhar passes away, his mouth should be kept CLOSED by fastening a piece of Paak material around his chin and over his head, his eyes should be also be closed. Both feet should be tied together with a similar piece of cloth, and the body covered with a Paak sheet.

The one who does this should read

(In the name of Allah and on creed, religion and faith of Rasulullah)

He may further read :

(O! Allah, ease upon him matters, and make light for him whatever comes hereafter, and honour him with Your meeting and make that which he has gone to better than that which he come out from.)

  • N.B It is MAKROOH (disliked) to recite the Holy Qur'an near the deceased person's body during the period between DEATH and the GHUSL

All the individuals of the deceaased's family may read :

(O! Allah, foergiven me and him, and grant me a good reward after him.)

And those who are grieved by this demise may read.

(To Allah do we belong, and to him shall we return.)

(O! Allah, reward me in my affliction, and reqiute me with (something) better than this.)

WHAT TO DO AFTER A PERSON
HAS PASSED AWAY
  1. Obtain a doctor's certificate.
  2. Obtain a burial order.
  3. Obtain a death certificate.
  4. If the body is to be removed from one Muncipality to another (e.g. from Umzinto to Durbon) then it is necessary to obtain a REMOVAL ORDER from the police of the town in which the death took place.
  5. If the death is due to unnatural causes (e.g. drowning or a motor aciident, etc.) then one must comply with the legal requirements.
  6. Inform relatives and friends of the death and of the time of Janazah.
  7. Prepare the QAB'R.
  8. Perform GHUSL.
  9. Put on the KAFAN.
  10. Arrange transport if the QABRASTAAN (cemetery) is at a distance.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MALE AND FEMALE KAFN

  1. SHEETING : 4 metres-140 cm 150 cm or 180 cm wide accorrding to the size of the body (1.75 metres for Izaar and 2.25 metres for Lifafah) OR
  2. CALICO : 1.80 metres, 90 cm wide for Qamees.
  3. Any other material 2.50 metres 115 cm wide, this has to be made into two pieces for Tehbands, about 115 cm x 115 cm. The balance should be used for making up bag like mittens, to be used for covering hands when performing Ghusl. A few strips must be kept for fastening the bags onto the hands and for tying the Kafn after it has been put on.
  4. 60 grams camphor cut fine, 60 grams sandal wood powder and rose water for paste to be put of the body that touch the ground when making Sajdah.
  5. One small bottle Itr or Hunoot if easily available, for males only. (Hunoot is anything with which a corpse is perfumed, consisting of musk, sandal wood, ambergis and camphor or any PAAK substance.)

ADDITIONAL KAFN REQIREMENTS FOR FEMALES

  1. CALICA: 140 metres, 90 cm, wide for Khimaar (Orni).
  2. CALICO: 180 to 2.50 metres, 90 cm wide for a woman's breast, (Sina band).

    NAME OF GARMENT
    MALE AND FEMALE
    LENGTH
    WIDTH
    DESCRIPTION
    Izaar
    180 cm
    (2 yds)
    150cm/180cm (60" / 72")
    To cover from head to toe
    Lifafah Chadar
    225 cm
    (2 1/2 yds)
    150cm/180cm (60" / 72")
    15 cmlonger than Izaar
    Qamees Kafni
    180 to 250 cm
    (2 to2 3/4 yds)
    90 cm (36")
    From shoulder to belong the knees
    ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR FEMALES ONLY
    Khimaar Orni

    140 cm
    (1 1/2yds)

    90 cm (36" )
    To cover head and hair over breast
    Sinaband
    180 to 250 cm
    (2 to 2 3/4yds)
    90cm (36")
    From under the arm pits to the things.

REQUIREMENTS FOR QABR:

  1. Unbaked bricks, bamboo or timber where the ground is soft.
  2. Sufficient spades.
  3. The approximate depth of a grave for adults should be according to the height of the deceased.

THE QABR

GRAVES ARE OF TWO TYPES:

  • The LAHAD: Where the ground and sides of the Qabr are firm, then a recess should be dug on the Qiblah side to allow placing the body in the recess. Unbaked bricks should preferably be used to close the recess, and made to fit neatly.
  • The SHIQ: where the soft nature of the ground does not allow a LAHD to be made, then a shallow trench should be dug in the centre at the bottom of the Qabr, to allow the body to be placed in this trench. Timber may he used to clever this. The use of any fabrics or blankets, etc is undesirable and wasteful. The bamboo or planks must be cut to size and set to fit properly in the grave before burial, to avoid last minute inconvenience.
  • Note: It is MAKROOH (undesirable) to dig out and prepare one's own grave during one's lifetime.

THE KAFN

The Kain are the grave clothes of the dead. It is desirable that the Kain be of white material and of medium quality according to the status of the deceased. Rasulullah said "Do not use expensive cloth in Kafn, because it will verysoon decay." It is PERMISSIBLE to prepare one's Kafn during one's lifetime. This will avoid last minute rush and inconvenience.

KAFN FOR MALE

The MASNOON Kain for a male is an IZAAR, QAMEES and LIFAFAH. The Izaar is this case is a sheet from the head to the feet, whereas the Qamees is a long sheet that has to be folded in half and an opening cut to allow it to be put on as a shirt. The latter will have no pockets, sleeves or seams. The Lifafah is a sheet from above the head to below the feet, (see diagrams on page 125) Just TWO, the Izaar and Lifafah will aso suffice, but it is SUNNAT to have the THREE. It is MAKROOH to use less than two without a valid reason.

KAFN FOR FEMALE

The MASNOON Kafn for a female consists of an IZAAR, KHIMAAR (Orni), QAMEES, LIFAFAH and a piece calf material tc' hold the breasts (SINABAND). The Khimaar is the Veil. The piece of material to hold the breasts should preferably be from the breasts to the thighs. Three garments, i.e..Izaar, Lifafah and Khimaar will suffice, but it is SUNNAT to have FIVE. It is MAKROOH to use less than THREE, except when it is NOT available. It is the duty of the husband to bear the burial expenses of the wife. The Kafn could be smoked with LOBAAN, etc. but NOT scented with Itr. Children's Kafn should be cut to appropriate size.

GHUSL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Clean luke warm water.
  2. A broad bench, stand or platform.
  3. Two large buckets for warm water, one small bucket or utensil, this is for the water to be mixed with a little camphor for use at the end of the Ghusl.
  4. Two jugs or mugs for pouring water over the corpse.
  5. Leaves of BER tree (Zizyphus Jujuba) if easily available, to be mixed with the like warm water and a cake of soap.
  6. 250g. of cotton wool.
  7. Two Tehbands and two bag like mittens with strips.
  8. A scissor for removing the deceased's clothing.
  9. Lobaan (Frankincense-Aromatic gum resin obtained from trees) or any other Paak incense for smoking the bench, stand or platform.
  10. One clean sheet to cover during Ghusl and one to cover before after Ghusl.
  11. One clean towel or a piece of material for drying the corpse.

WHO SHOULD PERFORM THE GHUSL

The Ghusl is the bath for the body of the dead person. An adult male should he bathed by his FATHER, SON or BROTHER. An adult female by her MOTHER, DAUGHTER or SISTER. If none of these persons are present then any near relative could carry out this duty (male for male and female for female). If any of these are not in the position to perform the Ghusl then the most pious person present should be requested to carry out this rite. The person giving the Ghusl should be assisted by others. The person performing the Ghusl must himself or herself be Paak and in a state of Wudhu. It is MAKROOH for a woman who is MENSTRUATING or in a state or NIFAAS (period after birth of a child) to perform the Ghusl.

  • If a MALE pases away and there are NO MALES to bathe him then no other woman besides his WIFE is permitted to carry out the Ghusl.
  • In the case of a WOMAN if there are no LADIES to perform the GHUSL the HUSBAND CANNOT perform the Ghusl of his WIFE)
  • In both instance TAYAMMUM should be performed. The Tayammum for Ghusl is the same as that for Wudhu.
  • A CHILD who has NOT reached the age (Male or Female) may be given Ghusl by any adult male or female if a menber of the same sex is not available.

THE GHUSL (MASNOON SEQUENCE)

  1. A bench, stand or platform on which the Ghusl will be carried out must be washed, cleaned and fumigated with Lobaan or any other Paak aromatic, three, five or seven times.

    During GHUSL, it is PERMISSIBLE to place the body in one of the following positions :

    (a) Having the LEGS facing the LEGS QIBLAH

    (b) Having the FACE towards the QIBLAH (as a person is made to lie In the grave.)

WHICHEVER POSITION IS INCONVENIENT IS PERMISSIBLES.

However, it is preferable to place the body with the FACE towards the QIBLAH as NABI

(Sallallahu alaihe wa salllam) has mentioned that the Ka'ba is the Qiblah of both, the living and the dead.

  1. NO HAIR of the head, beard or any other part of the body must be cut, shaved, trimmed or combed. The nails tall should NOT he cut. Circumcision is also NOT perrnissible. All rings, jewelery, wigs etc., should he removed. Where the false teeth of the dead person can easily be removed, these should preferably be taken out.
  2. Thereafter the body should he put fin the stand, the SATIN (private party) covered. (The male's Satr from the navel to the knees, and the female's from above the breast to the ankles.)
  3. The stomach should be gently be massaged, then both the Istinja places should be washed with mittens on, without looking at the private parts.
  4. The nostrils, ears and mouth should be closed with cotton wool to prevent water from entering the body during the Ghusl.
  5. If the deceased has reached the age of puberty, and was one given WUDHU. This Wudhu is similar to that of Namaaz, with the exception of GARGLING and putting water into the NOSTRILS. The proper sequence should be to wash :
    1. The FACE.
    2. ARMS to the ELBOWS.
    3. MASAH of the HEAD and
    4. FEET up to the ANKLES.
  6. If the dead person is in the state of JANAABAT, HAIZ or NIFAAS, (a state in which GHUSL is WAAJIB on him/her), then the mouth HAS TO be gargled and nostrils be made wet. This can be done with a little bit of cotton wool.
  7. After Wudhu, the head and beard should first be washed with soap or any other cleaning agent. If these are not readily available, pure clean water will suffice. The temperature of the water must be that which a living person normally uses when bathing.
  8. Thereafter the body should be tilted onto its left side to allow the right side to be washed first. Warm water should now be poured over the body from head to the toes once, and the body should be washed with soap until the water has reached the bottom, (left side). The body should now be washed again twice by pouring water from head to toe. The body should then be turned onto it's right side and the left side bathed similarly.
  9. Thereafter the body should be lifted slightly to a sitting position, and the stomach be gently massage with a downward stroke. Whatever comes out of the body should be washed away. The WUDHU and GHUSI need NOT be REPEATED in case any impurity dries come out.
  10. The body should since again be turned onto its left side and camphor water poured over it from head toe three times.
  11. All the cotton wool should now removed from the mouth, ears and nose.
  12. With this, the Ghusl is complete and the body could be wiped with a towel or a piece of material. The SATR must be kept covered. The FIRST Tehband will be wet due to the Ghusl. It should thus be changed for a second one. Care should be taken that while doing this the SATR is NOT exposed.
  13. The body should then be wrapped in a sheet and carried carefully onto the Kafn.

HOW THE KAFN SHOULD BE PUT ON MALE:

MASNOON SEQENCE.

  1. First spread the LIFAFAH on the floor, then on it the IZAAR and on it that portion of the QAMEES that will be under the body. The portion that will cover the top of the body should be folded and put at the head side.
  2. Lower the body gently onto the Kafn and cover the top of the belly upto the calfs with the folded portion of the Qamees.
  3. Remove the TEHBAND and sheet used for covering the SATR.
  4. Rub ITR or HUNOOT on the HEAD and BEARD.
  5. Then rub camphor mixture paste on the places of SAJDAH, (i e. those parts of the body that touch the ground in NAMAAZ : forehead, nose both the palms, knees and the fore feet.
  6. First fold the LEFT flap and on it the RIGHT flap of the IZAAR over the QAMEES.
  7. Thereafter fold the LIFAFAH in the same manner. Remember that the RIGHT flap must be always be on the top.
  8. Lastly fasten the ends of the LIFAFAH at the head side, feet and around the middle with strips of the cloth.

FEMALE :

  1. First spread the LIFAFAH out on the ground, then the SINABAND, on it the IZAAR and then the QAMEES in the same manner stated for males. The SINABAND may also be placed between the Mar and Qamees car lastly cover the Lifafah.
  2. Lower the body gently onto the Kafn and cover the top of the body upto the calfs with the folded portion of thd Qamees.
  3. Remove the Tehband and sheet used for covering the Satr. DO NOT use ltr, Surmah or any other make-up.
  4. Rub camphor mixture onto the places of Sajdah the forehead, nose, both palms, knees and the fore feet.
  5. The hair should be divided into two parts and put onto the real and leg breast lever the Qamees.
  6. Cover the head and hair with the Orni. Do not fasten or fold it.
  7. Fold the Izaar, the left flap first and then the right over the Qamees and Orni.
  8. Now close the Sinahand (breast cover) over these in the same manner.
  9. Close the Lifafah, the left flap first and then the right.
  10. Lastly fasten the ends of the Lifafah at the headside, feet and around the Middle with strips of cloth, keep to the complete Kafn in place.

PROHIBITED ARTICLES IN THE KAFN

  1. It is prohibited to enclose any charter or any other Du'a on the Kafn.
  2. It is forbidden to writ the Kalimah or any other Du'a on the Kafn or on the chest of the deceased with camphor, ink, etc.

WHAT TO DO AFTER THE KAFN

With the completion of the Ghusl and Kafn, the Mayyit (deceased person) is ready for DAFAN (burial). No time should be wasted and the Namaaz of the Janaazah should be arranged without delay. Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has said:

"If a person passes away, hasten him to his grave and do not keep him away." The Janaazah Namaaz should be arranged quickly and the Mayyit should be buried in the nearest Muslim Qabrastaan (cemetery). To transport the body over long distances is undesirable. It is also MAKROOH to delay the Janaazah Namaaz and wait for late comers to increase the Jamaat.

IMPORTANT:

  • It is only permissible for MAHRAM women of the deceased male to see his face.
  • They are his WIFE, MOTHER, GRAND MOTHER (paternal and maternal), SISTERS, AUNTS and (GRAND DAUGHTERS, etc.
  • Similarly only the MAHRAM males should view the face of a deceased female.
  • They are her HUSBAND, FATHER, GRAND FATHER, BROTHERS, UNCLES, SONS and GRANDSONS, etc.
  • In both cases of a male and female Mayyit, the face of the deceased should NOT be kept OPEN after the Kafn is put on.
  • It is permissible to recite the Qur'an after the Ghusl has been performed.

HOW THE JANAAZAH SHOULD BE CARRIED

  1. If the deceased is an adult, it should be put on a Janaazah (bier) and carried on the shoulders by four men. It is MAKROOH to transport the corpse by hearse over short distances unnecessarily.
  2. In the deceased is an infant or small child, it should be carried in the arms individually by different persons.
  3. All those who lift or carry the Janaazah the should recite BISMILLAH.
  4. When carrying Janaazah the Mayyit's head should be towards the front.
  5. The MUSTAHAB manner of' carrying the Janaazah is that every bearer should carry the Janaazah to FORTH steps. To do this observe the following procedure:
    1. Carry the LEFT FRONT of the Janaazah for TEN steps5 (the Mayyit's right shoulder).
    2. Thereafter the LEFT REAR for TEN steps, (the Mayyit's right foot.).
    3. Then the RIGHT FRONT for TEN steps, (the Mayyit's left shoulder).
    4. Lastly the RIGHT REAR for TEN steps, (the Mayyit's left foot.) it does NOT cause any inconvenience to others.
  6. Those accompanying the Janaazah should NOT SIT before it is lowered to the ground. The sick and weak are excuse
  7. It is MASNOON to carry the Janaazah hastily, but NOT in manner that the body is JOLTED or SHAKEN about.
  8. It is MUSTAHAB to follow the Janaazah, and NOT to go AHEAD of it.
  9. It is MAKROOH for those accompying the Janaazah to recite any Du'a or Aayat of the Qur'an aloud. They may, however, read La ilaha illallah softly. One should abstain from speaking or WORLDLY affairs or laughing and joking.

WHERE SHOULD THE JANAAZAH NAMAAZ BE PERFORMED

This Namaaz should NOT be performed in the MASJID. It could be performed on any open space or in a building specially built for Janaazah Salaat. It is IMPORTANT to remember that when performing Janaazah Salaat in the Kabrastan there should be NO QABARS immediately in FRONT of the Jam'at. It should be performed as far away from the Kabrs as possible, or there should be an abstruction between the worshippers and the Kabrs.

TIMES WHEN JANAAZAH NAMAAZ COULD BE PERFORMED

It is MAKROOH to perform the Janaazah Salaat while the sun RISES, when it passes the meridian (Zawaal) and when it sets. Besides these THREE times, which last for a very short period, this Namaaz could be performed at any time during the day or night. It could also be read after the ASR Salaat.

THE JANAAZAH NAMAANZ

The Janaazah Salaat is FARZE KIFAAYAH on all Muslims present. It consist of FOUR TAKBEERS, THANA, DUROOD, and a MASNOON DUA for the deceased and TWO SALAAMS. All these.are said SILENTLY by both, the Imam and Muqtabis. Just the Imam should call out the Takbeers and Salaam aloud.

THERE ARE FARZ IN JANAAZAH NAMAAZ

a. To stand and perform the Salaat.
b. To recite all the FOUR Takbeers.

THE MASNOON MANNER OF PERFORMING THE JANAAZAH NAMAAZ

  1. The body of the Mayyit should be placed withhead on the RIGHT side of the Imam, who will face the Qiblah
  2. The Imam should stand in line with the CHEST of the deceased whilst performing the Salaat.
  3. It is MUSTAHAB to make an odd number of SAFS (rows) The Safs for Janaazah Namaaz should be CLSE to one another, because there are NO Sajdahs to be made.
  4. After the Safs are straightened the NIYYAT should be made. The Niyyat should be made thus : I am performing this Janaazah Salaat for Allah behind this Imam. (The Salaat being a Dua for the Mayyit.) After the Niyyah the hands should be raised upto the EARS, and the Imam should say Allahu Akbar louldly, and the Muqtadis softly. Then fold them under the navel similar to all daily Salaat.
  5. Then recite THANA softly:


    ( Glory be to You Oh Allah, and praide be to You, and blessed is Your name, and exalted is your Majesty, and there is none toi be served beside you.)

  6. The Imam will then recite the Takheer aloud and the Muqtadi softly for the second time. The hands should NOT be raised when saying, this and all subsequent Takbeers. The Durood Ibrahim should now be read :

(Oh Allah! shower Your mercy upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad as You showered Your mercy upon Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) and the followers of Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) :Behold You are Praiseworty, Glorious. (Oh Allah! shower Your mercy upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad as You showered Your mercy upon Ibrahim (alaihis salaam) and the followers of Ibrahim (Alaihis Salaam) :Behold You are Praiseworty, Glorious.

7. Thereafter the Takbeer should be said for the THIRD time, and the following Du'a be recited for an adult male or female:

(Oh Allah!, Forgiva those of us that are alive and those of us that are dead : those of us that are present and those of us who are absent : those of us that are young, and those of us that are adults; our males and our females. Oh Allah! whomsoever of us You keep alive, let him live as followers of Islam and whomsoever You cause to die, let me die a Believer.)

For a child who has, not reached the age, puberty the following Du'a should be recited after the THIRD Takbeer :

a. Du'a for boy :

b. Du'a for girl:

(Oh Allah!, make him/her (this child) a source of our salvation; and make him/her a source of reward and treasure for us; and make him/her an intercessor for us. and one whose intercession is accepted.

8. The Imaam should say the FOURTH Takbeer and thereafter recite the Salaam aloud TWICE, while turning his face first towards the RIGHT shoulder and then once again while turning his face towards the left. The Muqtadis should follow by saying the Takbeer and Salaam SOFTLY.

LATE COMERS TO THE JANAAZAH NAMAAZ

When a LATE COMER FEARS that if he engages himself in WUDHU, he will miss the Janaazah Salaat, then ONLY is it permissible for him to make TAYAMMUM and join the Jama'at. This rule applies to the Janaazah Salaat only.

Whomsoever arrives Or the Janaazah Salaat after the Imam has recited ONE or more Takbeers, should wait and join the Imam when he says the next Takbeer. After the Salaam he should complete the missed Takbeers by merely saying Allahu Akbar once for every Takheer missed. No Dua should be read. If the Imam has completed the FOURTH Takbeer then too, the late comer should join and complete all the missed Takheers, (before the Imam says the Salaam).

THE SHAR'EE METHOD OF DAFN (BURIAL)

  1. After the Janaazah Salaat is performed the Mayyit should be buried as soon as possible. The Janaazah should be carried and placed at the Qiblah side of the grave. The headt should be on the RIGHT SIDE of the grave if one faces the QIBLAH.
  2. It is desireable that MAHRAMS or close relatives (of a females Mayyit) should enter the grave to lower the body. The husband should NOT enter the grave to bury his wife. It is NOT MASNOON (Sunnat) that there be an ODD number. All those who enter the grave should face the Qiblah.
  3. It is MUSTAHAB tic hold a sheet over the grave while low-cring and burying a female. If there is fear of her Kafan open-ing then it is WAJIB to do so.
  4. It is MUSTAHAB for those present to recite this Du'a whilst the hardy is being lowered:

(In the anme of Allah and on the creed, religion and faith of Rasulullah)

  1. After placing the body into recess of the grave it is Masnoon to turn it onto its RIGHT side to face the Qiblah.
  2. The strips of cloth tied at the head side, chest and leg side should now be untied.
  3. The recess should then be covered with unbaked bricks, bamboo, for timber.

HOW THE QABR SHOULD BE FILLED AND SHAPED

  1. It is MUSTAHAB to begin closing the recess or tench from the LEG side for MALES, and from the HEAD side for FEMALES. All the remaining little openings should be closed with mud or grass. The use of any FABRIC or BLANKETS is unneccessary and wasteful.

All those present should participate to fill the KABR with at least THREE handsful of soil. Widen throwing the FIRST handful in the grave RECITE:

(From the (earth) did We create you.)

DURING THE SECOND HANDFUL :

(and into it shall We retrun you).

AND AT THE TIME OF THE THIRD HANDFUE :

(and from it shall We bring you out once again).

  1. It its MAKROOH to add more soil to the KABR than that which was dug out from it.

  2. The shape of the Kahr when filled should he like the HUMP of CAMEL. Thc height should be approximately 25 to 30 cms. It should NOT be made SQUARE or into any other shape. All types of buildings and enclosure on or around the KABR are NOT permissble. Building on KABR have been emphatically denounced in the Habith of Rasulullah (S.A.W.).
  3. It is MUSTAHAB to sprinkle water on the grave from the head to leg side thrice after the Kabr has been shaped.
  4. To recite the Qur'an and mae Du'a for the deceased at his grave side, after the grave is filled and shaped, is also MUSTAHAB.
  5. It has been related by Hazrat UTHMAN (R.A.) that after Rasulullah (S.A.W.) buried the dead, he paused and said: "Beseech forgiveness from Allah for your brother and make Dua for his steadfastness because he is going to be questioned now by the MUNKAR and NAKEER."

 

MASNOON DU'AS THAT MAY BE READ IN THE JANAAZA NAMAAZ

(O Allah! If he was righteous, then increase his reward, and if he had erred then pardon his mistakes and deprive us not of his reward, and try us not after him.)

(O Allah! Forgive him, and have mercy upon him. And raise his rank.)

(Oh Allah, Forgive him, Have mercy upon him, Give him peace and absolve him. Receive him honourably and make his grave spacious. Wash him water, snow and hail. Cleanse him from faults as You cleanse a white garment from impurity. Require him with an abode better than his abode, with a household better that his household. Admit him to Jannat and protect him from the torment of the grave and punishment of the Fire).

(Oh. Allah! Forgive him, and have mercy upon him, Sirely You alone are the Forgiver, the Merciful.)

(O Allah! Protect him from the punishment of the grave.)

TA'ZIAT

(To sympathize with the bereaved)

It is from the teachings of Rasulullah (S.A.W.) that one should console and comfort a Muslim who is in distress. Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has said: "He who consoles the one in distress shall be rewarded as much as the bereaved."

ONE SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF THESE FEW POINTS:

  • One should be most HUMBLE.
  • Express his GRIEF.
  • Speak less about WORLDLY affairs.
  • Should NOT joke or laugh.
  • Mention the good acts and deeds of the deceased and abstain from the ill ones.
  • Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has said: "Mention the GOOD actions off your deceased and abstain from the OFFENSIVE ones."

The time for TA'ZIAT extends for THREE days after the death. It is MAKROOH to make TA'ZIAT after this period, except in cases where one is NOT present at the Janaazah or when the bereaved is absent. Ta'ziat before the burial is permissible.

VISITING THE KABRASTAN

Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has mentioned: "Visit the graves, for surely visiting the graves lessens worldly love and reminds you of the hereafter. "

The Kabrastan could be visited on any day. Friday is preferred to this visit, and if possible it should be weekly visit. It has been related in a Hadith that : "Whoever will visit his parents' grave every Friday will be granted Maghfirat and he will be recorded as an obedient son of his parents.

WHAT TO READ WHEN ENTERING THE KABRASTAN

Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has taught the Sahabah R. A., these words as salution to the people of the graves and pray for their forgiveness :

(Peace be upon you. O you of the believers and Muslims dwelling in these abodes. Behold If Allah wills, we shall meet you. We beseech of Allah safely for us and for you.)

WHAT TO RECITE WHEN IN THE KABRASTAN.

There are many supplications that may be read at the grave side, the best being the recital of the Holy Qu'ran stand facing the grave (back towards the Qiblah) and recite as much of the Qur'an as possible ad make Du'a for the Maghfirat (forgiveness) of the departed. A few ways of praying for the dead, as relarted in the AHAADEES, are given hereafter.

Recite Suraa IKHLAAS 11 times.

It is related in a Hadith that whomever visits the Qabrasthan and recites Surah IKHLAAS 11 times and then prayed for the dead will be rewarded as many fold as the number of dead in the Kabrashtan.

  • It has been reported in Hadith that whomever visits the Kabrastan and recites

SURAHS:

* FAATIHAH :
* IKHLAAS :
* TAKAASUR :
  • and then prays for the dead, the people of the grave will also ask Allah for such a person's forgiveness.
  • Recite Surah YASEEN. In a Hadith it is reported that if a person recites Surah YASEEN in the Kabrastan, the punishment of the dead will be eased, and the reciter will be rewarded just as much as the dead.
  • In this manner the Sahaaba of Rasulullah (S.A.W.) visited the Kabrastan. The words in the Hadith indicate only salutations and Du'as for the dead and remembering death. All other way; such as placing wreaths, flowers, paying homeage, etc., are INCORRECT according to the SHARI'AT. One should thus abstain from acting wrongly.

PERIOD OF IDDAT

  1. The period of WAITING after one's HUSBAND dies, is called IDDAT. This period is of FOUR months and TEN days.
  2. During this period she should remain in the dwelling that they occupied at the time of the death of her husband. She is NOT allowed to leave this house if she has sufficient provision. If she is the sole bread winner with no other means of income, then only is she permitted to leave her house during the day. At night she should return to his house.
  3. The widow that is expecting a child at the time of the death of her husband, her Iddat will be until the birth of that child. The four month and ten days should NOT be reckoned in this instance.
  4. If a woman is NOT at home at the time of her husband's death, she should return as soon as possible and pass the period of Iddat at home. The days of Iddat will be calculated form the time of the demise.
  5. A women in Iddat should abstain from using fancy clothing, make-up or jewellery.

A FEW NOTEWORTHY MASAA'IL

  • The trustee of the deceased should pay all the DEBTS as soon as possible.
  • Isaale Thawaab for the deceased should be made by feeding the poor, by giving Sadaqah, making Istighfaar etc. No SPECIFIC dates or days such as the third, seventh, eleventh or fortieth are mentioned in Shari'ah for such devotions. When giving charity on behalf of the deceased, it is desirable to make Niyyah for the fulfilment of Qaza Salaat of the deceased.
  • The Shari'at has NOT specified any particular type or colour of clothing that should be worn by those that are bereaved
  • A Mayyit is one who was bone ALIVE and then passed away. It must be named and Ghusl, Kafn and Janaazah must be performed.
  • A STILL BORN child should be named, given Ghurl and wrapped in a piece of cloth, (NO Kafn) and then buried.
  • In the case of a miscarriage, if the limbs are formed, then too, it will be named, given Ghusl, wrapped in a piece of cloth and buried, just as a still born. child
  • There is NO Janaazah Salaat for still born babies.
  • It the limbs are NOT fomed, no name will be given and there will be NO Ghusl. The malformed child should just be wrapped in a piece of cloth and buried
  • If any one of the parents of a dead child is a Muslim, then that child will be regarded as a Muslim Janaazah Salaat should be performed for that child.
  • Janaazah Salaat shall be said for a person that has committed suicide. It is desirable that someone other than the appointed Imaam or reputable person of the community lead this prayer. Janaazah Salaat will be performed for all Muslims; pious or sinful.
  • It has been narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anh) that Rasulullah (S.A.W.) said : "One that accompanies the Janaazah of a Muslim with sincerity and with the intention of Sawaub, and remains with it until the Salaat is performed and the Mayyit buried, will return (home) with TWO Qeeraat Saab. Of these, one Qeeraat is equal to the mountain of UHUD. A person who only performed the Janaazah Salaat and returns, will return with one Qeeraat Swaab"
  • Women do NOT follow the Janaazah nor do they visit the Kabrastan.

 

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