D1.0 BOOK OF JANAZA - FUNERAL
D1.1 Illness is a blessing
Illness is also a great gift and there are many benefits from it although by
looking at it may seem as if it is giving you difficulty, but in reality it
is a source of rest and easiness and the illness that is of the body is actually
a great source of medicine for the recovery of the soul.
D2.0 What is real illness ?
The real illness is the illness of the soul and is something that should be
feared and should be seen as a fatal illness. What should really happen is that
a person should think of the illness or difficulty as a gift and accept it gladly,
if not then at least have patience and understanding and hence by being impatient
and complaining why lose the reward that has come your way and by being impatient
the illness is not going to disappear but you will lose the reward and gain
another problem and many people who are naive use wrong phrases and obtain sin
and some in fact even say words of Kufr by blaming Allah of being cruel (may
Allah protect us from this). These people destroy their world and afterlife
due to these sorts of statement.
D3.0 Sins are forgiven and reward is given for illness and difficulties
The Holy Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) has stated that the
difficulty that a Muslim suffers upto the extent that a thorn pricks them, then
Allah (The Exalted) forgives his sin [Bukhari, Muslim] and the Holy Prophet
also states that if a Muslim is taken ill due to illness or suffers any other
sort of difficulty then Allah drops his sins like a tree drops it's leaves [Sahih
Bukhari, Sahih Muslim], and the Holy Prophet also states that Allah has set
a grade for a Muslim and if they do not reach that grade due to poor actions
then Allah tests them by either their health, goods or children and then gives
them patience and then makes them reach their intended grade [Ahmad, Abu Da'wood]
and he also states that on the day of Judgement when Allah rewards them for
their patience the people who had rested and relaxed in this world will wish
that only if scissors would have cut their skins and given them that sort of
difficulty so that they could be collecting the reward [Tirmizi].
D4.0 Visiting people who are sick
To visit someone and enquire about their health is Sunnat. It is quoted in the
Hadiths that there is a lot of virtuousness in this and the Holy Prophet has
stated that when one Muslim goes and visits his other Muslim brother and because
he is ill then until his return he has been gathering the flowers from Jannat
[Bukhari, Muslim].
It was the Holy habit of the beloved Prophet that when he visited someone he
used to say "Laa Baasa Tahurun Insha Allahu (The Exalted)" meaning
'there is nothing to worry about, Insha Allahu (The Exalted) this illness will
purify you from your sins' [Bukhari, Muslim].
The Holy Prophet says that whenever you go to see an ill person ask them to
pray for you because their prayer is the same as the prayers of the angels [Ibne
Maja] and he has also stated that when one Muslim goes to visit another ill
Muslim then they should pray this Dua seven times "As alullahu Azueem Rabbal
Arshil Kareem Ayyashfeeka" if death doesn't come then you will get better.
D4.1 If you are aware that if you go to see someone about their health and the
patient will not like it then do not go [Durrar].
D4.2 If you went to visit someone and you saw that their situation was bad then
do not show this in front of the patient nor shake your head so that the patient
will know that their health has deteriorated, but talk to the patient about
things that would enlighten them and make them feel better and do not put your
hand on their forehead unless that is their request [Durrar].
D4.3 To go and visit a Fasiq (wrongdoer) is also allowed because visiting is
a right of Islam and a Fasiq is still a Muslim. If a Christian or Jew is a Zimmi
(citizen of an Islamic country) then it is allowed to go and visit them [Durrar].
There is disagreement between Ulema as to whether one can visit fire worshippers
if they are Zimmi. A Hindu comes under the same ruling as a fire worshipper
and is different to the ruling of those who are followers of the book (Christians,
Jews). There are no Zimmis who are Hindu, Christian, Jews, idol worshippers
in the sub-continent of India [Bahar-e-Shariat].
D5.0 The coming of death
One day we will leave this world and death is going to come and we are going
to go from here and hence we should prepare for the after-life where we are
going to stay forever and this time should always be remembered and not forgotten.
D6.0 How should one live here ?
The Holy Prophet has stated that live in this world like a traveller who is
on a journey, meaning he lives like a stranger and he doesn't waste time on
different routes because he knows he will be wasting time and will not reach
his desired destination. In the same way a Muslim should not get stuck in the
worldly affairs nor should they get involved with such connections which will
divert them from the real destination and objective and should always remember
their death as this reminds them of not getting too involved with worldly affairs.
D7.0 When can one ask for death ?
It is quoted in the Hadith "Aksiru Zikr Hazihimil Lazzatil Maut",
meaning think about a very difficult death but don't ask for death as this is
forbidden and if you must ask for it then say 'Oh Allah, keep me alive until
life is good for me and give me death when that is the better for me [Bukhari,
Muslim] and a Muslim should always have a pious thought in relation to Allah
and always remain optimistic for his mercy.
It is quoted in the Hadith that no-one dies except with the thought they have
had, because Allah has said "Anaa Inda Zanni Abdibi" I treat my servant
with the thought they have for me. The Holy Prophet once went to a young person
who was close to death and the Holy Prophet said 'How do you see yourself'?
The young man replied " Oh messenger of Allah, I am optimistic of Allah
and scared of my sins" The Holy Prophet replied "Those who have both
in their heart i.e. optimism and fear then Allah will give him both, meaning
fulfil his optimism and take care of his fear".
It is a very tough time when the soul is being extracted, all the actions are
dependant on this time and above all faith is in danger because Satan is in
desperate attempt to take your faith and whoever Allah protects from his deceit
and protects their faith is the one who has reached their desired destination.
The Holy Prophet has said that who's last submission is "La ilaha illallah"
meaning the first Kalima will go into Jannat.
D8.0 When death draws nearer
D8.1 When death is near for a person and you have seen some of the signs then
it is Sunnat to lay the person on their right side and face them towards the
Qibla. It is also allowed to keep the person flat and point his feet towards
Qibla and tuck his head slightly up so that he will face the Qibla and if this
is not possible as it would cause the ill person difficulty then leave them
as they are [Hidaya, Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D9.0 Praying the Kalima
D9.1 At the time of near death when the soul has not yet departed then pray
this loudly "Ash Hadu An La ilaha illallahu Wa Ash hadu Anna Muhammadan
Rasoolullah", however, do not instruct the ill to pray [Alamgiri, Fatahul
Qadir].
D9.2 Once the ill has prayed the Kalima then stop praying it loudly, however,
if they say something else then start praying the Kalima again because their
last words should be "La ilaha illallahu Muhammadur Rasoolullah" [Alamgiri,
Johra].
D9.3 The person praying the Kalima who is close to the ill should be a pious
person, not a person who will be happy at the death of the person and therefore
to have pious people around at the time is a very good thing and at this time
to have 'Surah Yasin' being prayed and sweet smelling perfume is Mustahhab,
such as Luban or Incense sticks etc. [Alamgiri].
D9.4 At the time of death a woman on her menstrual cycle or after-birth bleeding
can be present [Qazi Khan, Fatahul Qadir, Alamgiri]. However, if a woman has
finished her period or a person for whom it is obligatory to bathe should bathe
first and should not be present otherwise. Also you should make sure that their
are no photographs or dogs in the house and if there are then throw them out
immediately because where there are photographs or dogs then the angels of mercy
do not enter. At the end time pray for the dying as much as you can and for
yourself and do not say anything bad from your tongue because this is the time
where angels say Ameen to your prayers, when you see that the ill person is
in extreme difficulty pray 'Surah Yasin' or 'Surah Ra'ad' [Bahar-e-Shariat].
D9.5 If at the dying time (Allah forgive) a phrase of Kufr is said then a Fatawa
of Kufr is not be given because maybe due to the difficulty, they are not in
their senses and have said it unconsciously [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Fatahul Qadir,
Alamgiri] and it is also a strong possibility that you may not have understood
their words fully as they may miss bits out as they may be in the difficulty
of death [Bahar-e-Shariat].
D10.0 What should be done when the soul is extracted
When the soul has come out then get a wide strip of cloth and take it underneath
the jaw and over the head and tie it so that the mouth does not stay open and
also close the eyes and straighten the hands and feet, this action should be
done by the one in the house who can do it most carefully, either father or
son [Alamgiri, Johra etc.].
D11.0 Dua when closing the eyes
D11.1 When closing the eyes of the deceased, you should pray this Dua "Bismillahi
Wa Ala Millati Rasoolillah Allahumma Yassir Alaihi Amrahu Wa Sahhil Alaihi Ma
Ba'dahu Wa'as'id'hu Bili Kaa'ika Waj'al Maa Kharaja ilaihi Khairam Mimma Kharaja
Anhu" [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Alamgiri, Fatahul Qadir].
D11.2 Put something heavy on the deceased stomach such as metal or soil to prevent
it from blowing up [Alamgiri] however, ensure it is not heavier than necessary
so that it may cause inconvenience [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar].
D11.3 Wrap a cloth around the whole body and then lift it onto something with
four legs so that the body is not stuck to the floor [Alamgiri].
D11.4 You should ensure that the bathing, Kafan and burial is done quickly because
there has been strong emphasis on this in the Hadith [Johra, Fatahul Qadir].
D12.0 The dead person's debts
D12.1 If the deceased has any debt or anything owing then it should be cleared
as soon as possible because it is quoted in the Hadith that the deceased is
worried about their debt and in one narration it is stated that the soul remains
stuck until the debt is cleared.
D12.2 If a woman has died and a child is moving in her stomach then the stomach
should be cut from the left side and the child taken out.
D12.3 A woman is alive and her child in her stomach has died and it is going
to be fatal for the mother then the stomach should be cut and the child taken
out, however, if the child is also alive then regardless of the difficulty the
stomach should not be cut [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar].
D13.0 Method of bathing the deceased
Bathing the deceased is Fardh-e-Kifaya and that is if some people gave the body
a bath then all are no longer responsible [Alamgiri]. The method of bathing
is that first of all where the body is going to be bathed i.e. table, stool
or four legged furniture should be made sweet smelling by walking around it
three, five or seven times with incense or nice smelling smoke and then lay
the body on the furniture and cover the naval to the knees with a cloth.
Then the person washing the body should wrap some material around his hands
and first of all wash the body's private parts. Then he should perform Wuzu
on the body as in Salaah and that is wash the face, then the hands upto the
elbows then perform a Masah of the head and wash the body's feet.
Do not first wash the hands upto the wrists or wash the inside of the mouth
or the nostrils as this is not necessary when washing the deceased. However,
get some cotton or a small piece of cloth and wet it and then wipe the teeth
and gums and lips with it.
Then if the deceased has hair or a beard then wash them with a sweet smelling
flower called 'Gull Khairo' and if this is not available then wash it with clean
soap which is made from Halal products and if this is not available then just
with water.
Then turn the body on it's right side and wash the side with water from 'Beri'
leaves and then repeat the process on the left side and if this sort of water
is not available then clean warm water is sufficient. Then sit the body upright
and gently wash the lower part of the stomach and if something is excreted then
wash it away but do not perform Wuzu or bath again, then finally wash the whole
body with Kafoor water and then slowly slowly wipe the body with a dry piece
of cloth.
D13.1 It is obligatory to flow the water over the body once and it is Sunnat
to flow it three times. Wherever you are performing the bathing, it is Mustahhab
to section the part so that except for the one bathing the body and his helpers
no other person can see. Whilst bathing then lay the body as per laying it in
it's grave i.e. facing the Qibla and if this is difficult then lay it whichever
way is easiest [Alamgiri].
D13.2 A male should be bathed by a male and a female should be bathed by a female,
if the dead is a small boy then women can bathe him and if the dead is a small
girl then men can bathe her as long as their age is not of adolescence (approx.
twelve years for boys and nine for girls) [Alamgiri, Bahar].
D13.3 If a wife dies then her husband cannot bathe her nor touch her but there
is no harm in looking at her [Durr-e- Mukhtar].
D13.4 A husband can lift the coffin of his wife and he can lower her into the
grave and he can see her face but he cannot touch her body or bathe her as this
is forbidden [Bahar-e-Shariat].
D13.5 If a man dies and there are no males present nor his wife then the woman
present should perform Tayammum for the deceased and if the woman is a permissible
female (Mahram) or his slave then they can perform Tayammum without wrapping
their hands in material and if they are strangers then she must wrap her hands
in material before performing Tayammum [Alamgiri].
D13.6 If a person dies where there is no water available then perform Tayammum
and pray Salaah-e-Janaza and if water becomes available before burying the body
then bathe the body and pray the Salaah of Janaza again [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D14.0 Order for a dead Infidel
D14.1 There is no bathing or Kafan (shroud) for an infidel but wrap it in a
large piece of cloth and bury it in a hole and only do this if there is no-one
of their religion present, otherwise do not take the body nor should a Muslim
touch it nor go to it's funeral [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D14.2 Keep both hands of the deceased to their side as to put them on the chest
is the method if infidels [Durr-e- Mukhtar], and on some occasions people put
the hands below the navel like in Salaah and this is also not correct [Bahar-e-Shariat].
D14.3 For the bathing of the body new empty containers are not necessary but
normal household utensils are sufficient and in some houses people then destroy
the utensils after bathing the body, this is also not allowed and Haram as it
is wasting money and should either be given to the poor or used again by yourself.
If they have become impure then wash them clean and if you think that it is
impure to keep them in the home then this is also illiteracy and stupidity.
Some people throw away the water remaining in the utensil, this is also Haram
[Bahar-e-Shariat].
D15.0 Three grades of Kafan (Shroud)
To give the deceased a shroud (Kafan) is Fardh-e-Kifaya [Fatahul Qadir]. There
are three grades of a Kafan,
1. Necessity
2. Sufficient
3. Sunnat
For a male it is Sunnat to have three pieces, cover, top and bottom. For females
the Sunnat is five pieces, cover, top, bottom, veil and chest-piece.
D16.0 What is the Sunnat Kafan
The sufficient Kafan for males is two pieces of cloth, the cover and bottom
piece. The sufficient Kafan for females are three pieces of cloth, the cover,
bottom piece and the veil or the cover, top piece and veil. The necessary Kafan
(Fardh) is a piece of cloth for both males and females whichever covers the
entire body [Hidaya, Durr-e-Mukhtar, Alamgiri, Qazi Khan].
D16.1 The cover should be bigger than the height of the body so that it can
be tied at both ends. The Bottom should be so long that it covers from the hair
to the feet, meaning only the extra bits that are used on the cover to tie at
both ends are longer than the bottom. The top is to cover from the throat to
below the knees and is the same back and front. The tradition used in illiterate
people is that the back is shorter than the front, this is wrong. The top does
not have sleeves or the open collar (used for buttons). The difference between
the top of males and females is that the male top is ripped at the collars and
the females is ripped at the chest part. The veil is to be three arms length
in size meaning one and half yards. The chest part for women is from the breasts
to below the naval and it is better to have it upto the thighs [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar,
Bahar].
D16.2 Without cause having the Kafan less than sufficient is Makrooh and not
allowed [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar].
D17.0 When can one beg for a Kafan
If there is the Kafan that is necessary available then it is not allowed to
beg for more, because without necessity begging is not allowed. However, if
there is not even the necessary amount of Kafan available then you can beg for
the amount to fulfil the necessary required not more, and if a Muslim fulfils
the necessary amount without the need to beg then Insha Allah the reward for
full Kafan will be obtained [Fatawa-e-Razvia].
D18.0 Material for the Kafan
D18.1 The quality of the Kafan should be good meaning the same quality as the
clothing the male wore on Fridays, Eid days and special days and the female
wore when she went to visit her parent's home. It is quoted in the Hadith that
give the dead good Kafan because they meet other dead people and they obtain
happiness by looking at their good quality Kafan. It is better to have the Kafan
white in colour because the Holy Prophet has stated that wrap your dead in white
Kafan [Alamgiri, Guniya, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D18.2 To have saffron or silk material Kafan is not allowed for males and is
allowed for females, meaning, whatever they were allowed to wear in their lifetime,
then that material is allowed and whatever was forbidden to wear in the lifetime
is also forbidden to be used as Kafan [Alamgiri, Bahar].
D18.3 It is allowed to use Kafan from used material [Alamgiri, Johra].
D19.0 Kafan for Children
For a girl the age of nine and over, a full woman's Kafan will be given, and
for a boy the age of twelve and over a full Kafan of a man will be given. For
a girl the age of less than nine then the Kafan of two pieces can be given and
for a boy the age of less than twelve a Kafan of one piece can be given but
it is better to give two pieces and it is actually best if the full Kafan is
given for both even if the child is one day's old [Qazi Khan, Durr-e-Mukhtar,
Bahar].
D20.0 From who's property should the Kafan be ?
D20.1 If the deceased has left some property then the Kafan should be bought
from this [Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D20.2 Debt, will, inheritance etc. are all superseded by the Kafan, meaning
first the Kafan will be bought then the debts etc. will be fulfilled. Then whatever
is left a third will be used to fulfil the will and then the remainder will
be given to inheriting relatives [Johra].
D20.3 If the deceased has not left any property then whoever is responsible
for the deceased and was responsible for the deceased during their life will
provide the Kafan and there is no-one available like this then the Kafan will
be given from Bait-ul-Maal (deposit of funds used for Muslims). If there is
no funds for Bait-ul-Maal then it is the responsibility of the Muslims there
to give the Kafan and if they didn't then they would all be sinners. If the
Muslims do not have the material then they can beg for one piece of material
for the deceased [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Johra].
D20.4 If a woman died and left some property but still the responsibility of
the Kafan is on her husband. The only condition is that no such thing was said
before dying which would take the responsibility away from the husband. If the
husband died and the woman had some of her own property she would still not
be responsible for her husband's Kafan [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D20.5 When it is referred that the Kafan is Wajib on such a person, this means
Kafan as per Shariat. In the same way the rest of the goods such as perfume,
bathing, taking the body to the burial place is all as per Shariat. As for the
rest of the goods then if all the relatives gave the person in charge the permission
then it is allowed otherwise the onus is on the person who wants to spend the
money [Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D21.0 Method of putting the Kafan on
The method is first bathe the body then dry it gently with a cloth so that the
Kafan does not get wet. Then incense the Kafan once, three, five or seven times
but no more than seven.
Then lay the Kafan as follows, first the big sheet (cover) then the bottom the
top and then lay the body on top of this and put the top on properly then put
perfume on the body and the beard and then put Kafoor on the head, nose, hands,
knees and feet.
Then wrap the bottom round first left then right side then wrap the cover round,
first left side then the right side so that the right side remains on top and
then tie from the top and the bottom so that it would not blow open.
For a woman, put on the top then part her hair into two and put them over the
top on the chest. Then lay the veil from half way down the back and bring it
over the head and cover the face like a Naqab and the end is on the chest, so
it's length is from the half way down the back to the chest and the width is
from one earlobe to the earlobe.
Some people put the veil on like they wear it on a day to day basis and this
wrong and against the Sunnat. Then wrap the bottom of the cover then on top
of it all wrap the chest cover from the breast to the thighs and tie it [Alamgiri,
Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar].
D21.0 Method of taking the Janaza (coffin)
D21.1 To lift the Janaza on the shoulder is a form of worship and every person
should attempt to perform this worship. The Holy Prophet lifted the Janaza of
'Sa'ad Bin Ma'az' Radi Allahu Anho's Janaza [Johra, Bahar].
D21.2 It is Sunnat to lift each side one by one and then walk ten steps at a
time. The proper Sunnat is to first lift the right top side then the right bottom
side then the left top side and the left bottom side and then walk ten steps,
which means that the total amount of steps taken is forty steps. It is quoted
in the Hadith that those who take the Janaza for forty steps will have forty
of their large sins forgiven and those who lift all four sides of the Janaza
will definitely be forgiven [Johra, Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D21.3 When lifting the Janaza, lift it with the hands and place the sides on
your shoulders. To put the sides on your neck or back is Makrooh, whichever
side you misplace will remain Makrooh.
D21.4 For a small child, if one person walks alone then there is no harm and
people should transfer the body one by one.
D21.5 The Janaza should be taken quickly but not so that it would jerk the Janaza
[Mujma'ul Anhaar, Durr-e- Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar, Qazi Khan, Hidaya, Waqiya,
Fatahul Qadir, Alamgiri].
D21.6 Those who walk with the Janaza should walk behind it. You should not walk
on the right or left side. If someone is walking in front then they should stay
that far so that they would not be counted in the group that are walking with
the Janaza, and if all the people are in front then this is Makrooh [Alamgiri,
Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D21.7 It is better to walk with the Janaza on foot and if you are on an animal
or in a vehicle then to be in front is Makrooh, otherwise remain a distance
ahead [Alamgiri, Sagiri].
D21.8 It is forbidden to take fire with the Janaza [Alamgiri, Hijr].
D22.0 Reward for going to the Janaza
D22.1 If the deceased is a neighbour or a relative or a pious person then to
go to their Janaza is better than praying a Nafl [Alamgiri, Hijr].
D22.2 Those who are with the Janaza should not return home before praying the
Salaah and after the Salaah he can return after gaining consent from the friends
of the deceased and it is not necessary to gain consent to leave after the burial
has taken place [Alamgiri].
D22.3 It is forbidden to talk about worldly affairs or laugh when walking with
the Janaza [Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D23.0 SALAAH OF JANAZA
The Salaah of Janaza is Fardh-e-Kifaya, meaning even if one person prayed it
then all would be relieved of the responsibility and if no-one prays it then
those who are aware of it will have committed a sin, those who reject the Salaah
as Fardh is a Kafir.
D23.1 Jamaat is not a condition for this Salaah and if therefore if one person
prayed it the Fardh will be fulfilled [Alamgiri].
The method of praying the Salaah is first of all to make the intention (I make
the intention to pray Salaah for Allah and to perform Dua for this dead person),
After making the Niyyat lift the hands upto the ears and whilst saying Allahu
Akbar fold then below the navel. Then pray Sana, meaning "Subhanakallah
Humma Wabihamdika Watabarakasmuka Wa (The Exalted) Jadduka Wa Jalla Thana'uka
Wa Laillaha Ghairuk".
Then without lifting the hands say Allahu Akbar and pray the Durood , it is
better to pray the Durood that is prayed in Salaah (Durood-e-Ibrahim) and if
another Durood is prayed then there is no harm.
Then say Allahu Akbar and pray the following Dua for yourself and for the deceased
and for all Muslim men and women "Allahummagh Fir Lihayyina Wa Mayyatina
Wa Shaahidina Wa Gha'ibina Wa Sagirina Wa Kabirina Wa Zakarina Wa Unthana Allahuma
man Ahyaytahu Minna Fa'ahyihi Alal Islam Wa Man Tawaffaytahu Minna Fatawaffahu
Alal Imaan.
Then say Allahu Akbar and then perform Salaam.
D23.2 If someone does not remember this Dua then any other Dua-e-Masoor will
also do such as "Allahumgh Firli Wa Li Walidayya Wa Lil Mu'mineena Wal
Mu'minaati Wal Muslimeena Wal Muslimaati Al Ahya'i Minhum Wal Amwaat Innaka
Mujibbud Da'wat Birahmatika Ya Arharrahimin.
D23.3 Out of all the four Takbeers of Salaah-e-Janaza, only lift your hands
on the first Takbeer and not for the other three. At the fourth Takbeer, without
praying anything else perform salaam and release your hands.
D23.4 If the deceased was either insane or a male child then after the third
Takbeer, pray this Dua "Allahumaj Alhoo Lana Farataw Waj'alhoolana Ajraw
Wa Zukhraw Waj Alhoolana Shafi'aw Wamushaffa'a" and if it a girl then replace
the words "Alhoolana" with "Alhalana" and "Shafi'aw
Wamushaffa'a" with "Shafi'ataw Wamushaffa'ah". Insane in the
above text means that he/she became insane before becoming an adult [Guniya,
Bahar].
D23.5 In the Salaam ensure that the intention is for the deceased, the angels
and the present [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D23.6 The Takbeer and Salaam should be prayed by the Imam loudly, and the rest
quietly.
D23.7 There are two Fardh in Salaah-e-Janaza;
1. Qayam - Standing
2. All four Takbeers
There are three Sunnat-e-Maukidas in Salaah-e-Janaza which are;
1. To praise Allah
2. To pray the Durood
3. To pray for the deceased.
D23.8 Because to stand is obligatory then if the Salaah is prayed without real
reason seated or on a vehicle or animal then it won't count and if the friend
and person in charge is ill or the Imam is ill and prayed the Salaah seated
and the Muqtadees prayed it stood up then the Salaah will count [Durr-e-Mukhtar,
Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D23.9 Those who have missed some of the Takbeers should pray them after the
Imam performs Salaam and if they are worried that if they remain to pray the
Duas, people will take the body on their shoulders then they should just pray
the Takbeers and miss the Duas [Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D23.10 If a person comes after the fourth Takbeer has been said but the Imam
has not performed Salaam then they should join in and when the Imam performs
Salaam he should say 'Allahu Akbar' three times after [Durr-e- Mukhtar].
D23.11 Every fact that breaks the Salaah also breaks the Salaah of Janaza except
one thing and that is if women and men touch each other the Salaah of Janaza
does not break [Alamgiri].
D23.12 The same conditions which are for normal Salaah are also for the Salaah
of Janaza, meaning ;
" Cleanliness of the body.
" Cleanliness of the clothes
" Cleanliness of the place
" Covering of the body
" Facing the Qibla
" Intention - although there is no fixed time for this and the Takbeer-e-Tahrima
is a part of it not a separate condition. [Durr-e-Mukhtar].
The condition for the deceased is that it is bathed and a Kafan is put on the
body and if the
bathing is not possible then to perform Tayammum on it and the Kafan is clean
even though it may get dirty later and the body is put in front on the floor
because if it is put on something or an animal then the Salaah will not count.
D24.0 Whose Janaza Salaah should not be prayed
D24.1 The Salaah of Janaza should be prayed for all Muslims regardless of whether
they are grave sinners. There are however, a few exceptions to this and these
are ; A traitor who fights against a correct Imam and dies fighting against
the Imam. A robber who dies whilst raiding someone, then he should not be given
a bath nor should his Salaah of Janaza be prayed. Those who have killed a few
people by strangling them. Finally a person who has killed his or her parents,
then their Salaah of Janaza should not be prayed [Alamgiri, Durr-e- Mukhtar,
Bahar].
D24.2 The first right for being the Imam of A Janaza Salaah is for the Sultan
of Islam, then the judge (Qazi), then the Imam who leads the Juma prayer, then
the Imam of the local Mosque, then the close relative or friend of the deceased
(Wali). The right of the Imam of the local Mosque over the Wali of the deceased
is Mustahhab and this applies when the Imam is more pious than the Wali, otherwise
the Wali holds the right. [Guniya, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D24.3 Wali means the deceased person's relatives and when leading the Salaah
the routine is the same for the relatives as with Nikkah, except for the only
difference is that in Nikkah the son has first right over father for being a
Wali and in Janaza the father has right over the son, except in the case where
the son is a scholar (Alim) and the father is not, in which case the son would
have the first right. If there are no relatives then the pious people of the
non relatives have the right [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D24.4 If the close relative who is the Wali is not available and a distance
relative is available then the distant relative will perform the Salaah. Not
available means that they are so far away that it would be difficult to wait
for them [Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D24.5 If there are no relatives of a woman then the husband should pray the
Salaah and if he is not available then a neighbour, in the same way if there
are no relatives for a male then the neighbours hold the right [Durr-e- Mukhtar,
Bahar].
D24.6 There is no necessity to gain final permission for the Janaza of a female
or child.
D25.0 Rows for Salaah-e-Janaza
D25.1 It is better that there are three rows for Salaah-e-Janaza as it is quoted
in the Hadith that if there are three rows for a person's Janaza Salaah then
they will be forgiven. If there are only seven men, then one should be the Imam,
three stand in the first row, two in the second row and one in the third row
[Guniya, Bahar].
D25.2 It is Mustahhab that the Imam stands near to the deceased's chest and
not far away.
D26.0 Salaah of Janaza is not allowed inside the Mosque
D26.1 To pray the Salaah-e-Janaza inside the Mosque is totally Makrooh-e-Tahrimi,
whether the body is inside the Mosque or outside, whether all the Salaahees
are inside the Mosque or some [Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D26.2 If a person died on the day of Juma and it is possible to complete everything
before the Juma Salaah then this should be done, to delay it after the Juma
Salaah with the thought that more people will be able to attend is Makrooh [Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D26.3 If the body has been buried and covered with soil without praying the
Salaah then the Salaah should be prayed on the grave as long as you are aware
that the grave has split and if the body has been buried but not yet covered
with soil, then the body should be lifted out and the Salaah prayed and then
buried again [Radd- ul-Mohtar, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D27.0 Dead child's burial and Kafan
D27.1 If a Muslim person's child is born alive and then dies, then it should
be bathed, a Kafan put on and Salaah-e- Janaza prayed, then buried. If the child
is born dead then, wash it and wrap it in a clean cloth and bury it, there is
no Salaah nor is the bathing or covering done in the Sunnat method.
D27.2 If a child is born with the head first and was alive until the chest appeared
then it dies, it will be regarded as born alive and then died. If a child is
born breach or legs first and then is alive until the waist comes out and then
dies, then it will be regarded as born alive and then died. If it dies before
coming this far out then it will be regarded as dead even if it's voice was
heard [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D27.3 If a child is born alive or dead, whether it was fully formed or half
formed, it should be given a name and on the day of judgement it will be accounted
for [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D27.4 If a Muslim's child is delivered by an infidel woman and she was not his
wife, meaning it was an illegitimate child then it's Salaah of Janaza should
still be prayed [Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D27.5 It is Fardh-e-Kifaya to bury the body.
D28.0 Size of the grave
The length of the grave should be at least the body's length in size and the
width should be at least the half size of the length and the depth should be
at least half the size of the length and preferably the depth should be the
full size of the length otherwise the middle answer is to have the depth upto
the chest [Durr-e-Mukhtar]. The depth means that the coffin or the inner grave
is this deep not from ground level.
D29.0 Grave or Coffin
D29.1 There are two types of graves. The first is called 'Lahad' and this is
a side pocket grave facing Qibla and the grave is dug with this pocket grave
and the dead is placed in the pocket grave. The second is the standard coffin
style grave and the body is lowered into the grave flat. The Lahad style is
Sunnat but if it is not possible then there is no harm using the coffin style
[Alamgiri, Bahar, Qazi Khan, Johra etc.]. The part of the grave where the body
of the deceased is touching the grave, to have proper brick built is Makrooh
[Alamgiri, Qazi Khan].
D29.2 To spread a table type cloth etc. at the bottom of the grave is not allowed
as this is unnecessary use of goods [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar].
D29.3 The people who go into the grave to lower the body whether it be three
or four or as many required should be pious and of good character, because if
they see something that is not worthy of mentioning it should not be mentioned
and if they see something as is worth praising then it should be talked about
[Alamgiri].
D29.4 It is Mustahhab to put the body into the grave from the Qibla side not
so that it is lowered from the feet end then brought towards the Qibla [Durr-e-Mukhtar,
Alamgiri, Fatahul Qadir].
D30.0 Who should lower the body of a female ?
D30.1 The people lowering a female body should be her Mahrum (from whom a Pardah
is not necessary) and if they are not available then other close relatives and
if this is not possible then pious Muslims can lower the body [Alamgiri].
D30.2 When placing the body into the grave pray this Dua "Bismillahi Wa
Billahi Wa Alaa Millati Rasoolillah" [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Alamgiri].
D31.0 The deceased's side and face
D31.1 Lay the deceased on their right side and point their face towards the
Qibla. If you forget to point their face towards the Qibla but remember after
the coffin is closed then re-open the coffin and point their face towards the
Qibla, and if you forgot and the soil is filled and the grave is closed then
do not re-open the grave to point the face towards the Qibla, in the same way
if the body is laid on the left side or the feet are where the head should be,
then if you remember before the soil is put back on the grave then change it
to the correct position otherwise leave it [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D31.2 After placing the body in the grave then you can release the tightening
of the Kafan as it is no longer necessary and if you do not then there is no
harm [Johra, Bahar].
D31.3 After placing the body in the grave then replace the grave with raw soil
and if the soil is soft then you can use planks of wood to support it as pillars,
and if there is a gap between the pillars then fill it with soil and the same
rule applies to a coffin [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D31.4 If the Janaza is of a woman then until it is lowered into the grave and
the planks of wood are put across then keep the grave area partitioned with
a cover. Do not cover a male's grave however, if there is a problem with the
deceased face etc. then there is no harm in covering it. For a female ensure
that the area is covered [Johra, Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar].
D32.0 When soil is given and how and what should be prayed
D32.1 Once the planks of wood are put across the grave then start putting the
soil back on. It should be started from the head side and picked up with both
hands and dropped three times. When dropping it the first time pray "Min'ha
Khalaqnaa'kum" then at the second throw pray "Wa feeha Nu'eedukum"
and on the third throw pray "Wa Min'ha Nukhrijukum Taa'ratan Ukhra".
The rest of the soil should be put on the grave using a shovel or spade etc.
and to put more soil in the grave than what came out is Makrooh [Alamgiri, Johra].
D32.2 The soil that is stuck to the hand can either be shaken off or washed
off, whatever is preferable [Bahar-e- Shariat].
D32.3 The grave should not be made completely square but there should be a dip
in it like the humps of a camel. There is no harm in sprinkling water on the
grave but in fact it is better to do so and the grave should be one span tall
or slightly higher [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D32.3 If a person dies on a ship and land is not near then they should be bathed
and a Kafan put on and lowered into the sea [Guniya, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D33.0 To make domes or pillars on a grave and to make it solid
D33.1 To make a dome or pillars etc. on top of a grave of Ulema or Saadaat then
there is no harm, but it should not be made solid [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar]
meaning it must not be made solid from the inside , and if it is raw soil on
the inside of the grave and made with brick on the outside then there is no
harm [Bahar-e- Shariat].
D33.2 If it is necessary then you can write on the grave to mark it, but do
not write where the wording may be open to disrespect [Johra, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D33.3 It is better to bury someone in a cemetery where there are graves of the
pious people.
D33.4 It is Mustahhab to pray after burial the start and the end of Surah Baqr,
the starting is from 'Alif Laam Meem to Muflihoon', and the end half is from
'Aamanarrassoluh to the end of the Surat' [Johra, Bahar-e-Shariat].
D34.0 Respect of the Grave
D34.1 To sit, sleep, walk, excrete and urinate on a grave is Haram. You should
walk where there has been a new pathway allocated, whether you are aware that
the pathway is new or you just think that is the case [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar,
Bahar].
D34.2 If you wish to reach a relative's grave but to get there you will have
to walk on other graves then this is forbidden and therefore pray the Fatiha
from a distance. You should not wear shoes inside the graveyard, because once
the Holy Prophet saw a person wearing shoes he said 'take you shoes off, do
not make it difficult for the buried and they will not make it difficult for
you' [Bahar-e-Shariat].
D35.0 Time and day of Ziyarat (remembrance and visiting)
To go and visit the graves is Sunnat. You should go once a week, either on Friday,
Thursday, Saturday or Monday is all valid. The best time is in the morning on
a Friday. It is allowed to go and travel to the graves of the Aulia-e-Kiram
and the Aulia provide benefit for those who do this. If you see something there
which is against the Shariat such as facing women or hearing music then do no
not stop going, but think of it as bad and try and avoid it because to stop
a pious act because of seeing bad things is not correct [Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D35.1 It is a wise thing that women should be stopped from going visit the graves
[Radd-ul-Mohtar, Fatawa-e- Razvia, Bahar].
D35.0 Method of visiting the graves
The method is to enter from the feet side of the buried and stand facing them
and say this "Assalaamu Alaikum, Ya Ahla Daar'e Quamin Mu'mineena Antum
Lanaa Salfuw Wa Insha Allahu Bikum Lahiqoon Nas'alullaha Lana Walakumul Afwa'Wal
Aafiyata Yarahamullahul Mustaqdimeena Minna Wal Musta'akhireena Allahumma Rabbul
Arwaahil Faaniyah Wal Ajsaadil Baaliyah Wal Izaamin Nakhira ad Khil Haazihil
Quboora Minka Raw'haw Wa Reehanaw Wa Minna Tahyataw Wasalaama".
Then pray the Fatiha and if you wish to sit then sit at the same distance when
you sat near him when he was alive [Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D35.1 Do not approach the grave from the head side of the buried as it will
cause the dead pain, meaning that they will have to turn their head to look
at you [Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D36.0 Sending Sawab (Reward) to the deceased
D36.1 When visiting the graveyard pray 'Alhamdo ' and Alif Laam Meem upto Muflihoon
and Ayatul Kursi and Amanarrasooluh to the end of the Surat. Also pray Surah
Yaseen and Tabarakal Lazi and Alhakumttakassu once each and pray Qul HuwAllahu
Ahad either twelve, eleven, seven or three times and then send all the reward
to the dead.
It is quoted in the Hadith that those who pray Qul HuwAllahu Ahad eleven times
and then send the reward to the dead, then he who sends it will gain reward
equivalent to the amount of dead people [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D37.0 Isal-e-Sawaab
The reward for praying Salaah, Fasting, Zakat, Hajj, Sadqah (Charity), Lillah
and all other pious acts Fardh and Nafl can be passed to the dead. The reward
would reach all of them and the reward of the sender would not be reduced in
the slightest and it is of optimism and wish that with the mercy of Allah every
person would receive the same amount of reward and that is all of it and it
would not be split or shared and therefore not reduced [Shareh Aq'aid, Hidaya,
Alamgiri, Radd-ul-Mohtar] and it is hoped that the total amount of reward will
be given to the sender, for example, if a person performs a pious act which
would carry ten rewards and then he sends that to ten dead people, the dead
would all receive ten rewards each and the sender would receive one hundred
and ten rewards, and if it was sent to a thousand dead people then the sender
would gain one thousand and ten rewards [Fatawa-e-Razvia, Bahar].
D37.1 It is forbidden to kiss or perform circles around the grave [Bahar Shariat,
Ash'atul Lam'aat].
D37.2 It is a good thing to put flowers on the grave because whilst they remain
wet they will perform the Tasbeeh of Allah and satisfy the heart of the deceased
[Durr-e-Mukhtar, Bahar] and in the same way to put a blanket of flowers on the
Janaza, there is no harm [Bahar-e-Shariat].
D37.3 Wet grass should not be removed from the grave because the wet grass prays
the Tasbeeh of Allah and gives rest to the buried and if it is removed then
you have committed unjust for the deceased [Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D37.4 It is allowed to put on a Ghilaf (blanket) on the graves of Aulia and
Ulema when it is recognised that the person in the shrine is respected by majority
and people are aware of the holy person's status and gain auspiciousness from
the Holy Person who is resting.
D38.0 Grieving and visiting the relatives and it's reward
Grief - Meaning to visit grieving relatives is Sunnat. It is quoted in the Hadith
that those who grief and visit their brother during the time of sorrow then
Allah will give then the outfit of miracle [Ibne Maja], it is quoted in another
Hadith that those who visit people when they are grieving then Allah will reward
them with the same amount of reward as those that they are visiting [Tirmizi,
Ibne Maja].
D39.0 What involves in visiting?
When visiting say that May Allah have mercy on the deceased and forgive their
sins and may Allah give you patience and reward you for suffering. The Holy
Prophet said these words when visiting 'Lillahi Maa Akhaza Wa Aa'taa Wa Kullu
Shay'in indahoo Bi aJalim Musammaa' meaning They belong to Allah and he has
taken and given and everything in his court has a fixed time [Alamgiri etc.]
D39.1 It is Mustahhab to visit all the relatives of the deceased , small and
large, women and men but only the Mahrum of the females visit the females [Alamgiri,
Bahar].
D40.0 Time of grief
The time of grief is from the time of death upto three days. After three days
it is Makrooh as it will remind the people of the sorrow and if visiting well
after the death of the deceased and the person visited is not present or is
not aware then there is no harm [Johra, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D40.1 It is Bid'at to visit the grieving relatives in the graveyard [Radd-ul-Mohtar].
D40.2 It is allowed to visit the grieving relatives before burial but it is
better to visit after the burial, but if the family of the deceased cannot remain
patient and start crying loudly then it is better to visit before burial to
comfort them [Johra].
D403 If a person has visited once, then to go again is Makrooh [Durr-e-Mukhtar].
D41.0 Food for the deceased
D41.1 If the family of the deceased invite guest for food on the third or the
fortieth day then it is a bad Bid'at and is not allowed, because as per Shariat
to invite guest for food is done on a happy occasion not on a sad occasion,
however if you feed the poor and the needy then it is better [Fatahul Qadir].
Money from the goods of the deceased use to make food for the third day etc.
is not allowed, once the goods have been distributed then if someone wishes
to contribute then this is all right [Khaniya etc.]. It is a good thing if the
neighbours or distant relatives bring food for the family of the deceased day
and night and comfort them and make them eat [Radd-ul-Mohtar, Bahar].
D41.2 The food that is sent for the family of the deceased should only be eaten
by the family and excess food should not be sent, as for others to eat this
is not allowed [Bahar-e-Shariat] and to send food for the first day is Sunnat
and after this is Makrooh [Alamgiri, Bahar].
D42.0 Moaning and Wailing for the dead
To scream and wail and perform lamentation about the deceased in a gathering
is Haram and the same way to scream and shout the forthcoming difficulties is
also Haram [Johra, Nera].
D42.1 To rip your clothes, rub your face, undo the hair, to beat your head,
to beat your chest are all methods of illiteracy and are all Haram [Alamgiri].
It is quoted in the Hadith that those who hit their face or rip their clothes
and scream illiterate words are not with me [Bukhari, Muslim]. It is quoted
in another Hadith that those who beat their head and scream out and rip their
clothes, I am unhappy with them.
D42.2 It is not permissible to cry with sound but if no sound is heard then
there is no harm because to cry like this is proven for the Holy Prophet because
at the passing away of his son the Holy Prophet had tears in his eyes and he
stated that Allah does not punish for tears from the eyes or sorrow in the heart,
however, he punishes due to the sound of the mouth nor does He perform mercy
and because of those who cry loudly the deceased feels pain and also cries [Johra,
Bahar, Bukhari, Muslim].
Sorrow - It is not permissible to perform sorrow for more than three days, however,
the wife at the passing away of her husband performs sorrow for four months
and ten days [Bukhari, Muslim].
D42.3 Those who remain patient during times of difficulty obtain two lots of
reward, one for being patient and the other for the difficulty and those who
don't remain patient and scream etc. lose both rewards [Radd-ul- Mohtar]. It
is quoted in the Hadith that when a Muslim man or woman are fronted with difficulty
then when remembering it pray 'inna lillahi Wa inna ilaihi Raji'oon' even if
plenty of time has passed since the difficulty as Allah gives new reward and
the reward is the same as that given at the initial time of difficulty.
D43.0 Ta'ziyyat (Comfort and sorrow)
Ta'ziyyat means to pray that Allah forgives the deceased and protects them with
His mercy and gives the family strength and patience and reward them for suffering.
The Holy Prophet performed Ta'ziyyat in these words 'Lillahi Maa Akhaza Wa Aa'taa
Wa Kullu Shay'in indahoo Bi aJalim Musammaa' It belongs to Allah and He has
taken it back and everything to Him has it's fixed time" [Alamgiri etc.]
D43.1 It is Mustahhab to perform Ta'ziyyat to all the relatives of the deceased,
small, large, male, female, however, for the females only their Mahrams perform
Ta'ziyyat [Alamgiri, Bahar].
D44.0 SHAHEED - MARTYR IN ISLAM
D44.1 Martyr's are alive
Allah (The Exalted) states 'Wala Taquloo limay.......' meaning, those people
who die in the path of Allah do not call them dead, because they are alive but
you are not aware, and He also states 'Wala Tahsabannal Lazeena Qutiloo......ila
Ajral Mu'mineen' meaning, those people who have died in the path of Allah, do
not think of them as dead but they are alive at their Lord's place, they are
given wealth and whatever Allah has given to them from His virtue they are happy,
and those that they have left behind then there is good news for them and that
is they have no fear nor are they worried and the Martyr's wish for Allah's
gifts and virtue and that those who give with Imaan (their life) then Allah
does not let that go to waste and there are many Hadiths explaining the virtues
of the Martyrs.
D45.0 Shaheed are exempt from bathing and shroud
The Shaheed are not to be given a bath nor is their blood to be washed nor do
they have a shroud put on them. In fact they should be kept as they are and
the Salaah of Janaza should be prayed and then covered. However, if the clothing
that they are wearing is less than the Sunnat requirement then it should be
added and made up to the Sunnat requirement but the trousers should not be taken
off. If the Martyr is wearing extra to the normal clothing such as a scarf,
shoes or a sword holder etc. then these should be taken off [Hidaya etc.].
D46.0 Conditions for not giving the Shaheed a Bath
D46.1 For the Shaheed not to be given a bath there are seven conditions which
have to be met and if even one is missed then the bath should be given.
" The Shaheed must be a Muslim
" The Shaheed must be within their senses (not insane)
" The Shaheed must be an adult
" The Shaheed must be clean (pak) i.e. Bathing was not compulsory on them
" The Shaheed must not have died due to punishment (executed due to Islamic
law)
" The Shaheed must have been killed by a weapon (sword, dagger, gun etc.)
" The Shaheed must not have been killed by mistake
" The Shaheed must not have gained any advantage from the world after becoming
injured.
It is a great quality and excellence of Shaheed in this world that their blood
is regarded as clean their body is regarded as clean and their clothing that
they are wearing is regarded as a shroud, and as for the next world their quality
and excellence leaves nothing to be desired.
D46.2 If a thief, robber, warrior or a traitor kills someone then whether it
be with a weapon or some other item they are regarded as Shaheed and they should
not be bathed [Hidaya, Radd-ul-Mohtar etc.]. Gaining advantage from the world
means after becoming injured the Shaheed eats something or drank something or
slept or was treated for his injuries or stayed in the tent or one whole period
of Salaah passed whilst the person was conscious (as long as the person has
the power to pray Salaah) or the person got up from the injury ground and moved
somewhere else or was taken by others away from the battlefield whether he reached
his destination alive or died on the way or gave some instructions about a worldly
action or bought something or sold something or talked about a lot of things
then in all these situations the bath should be given as long as these happened
after the battle and if they happened in between the battle and these things
did not stop the killing then a bath is not to be given.
D46.3 If a Muslim is killed by another Muslim deliberately without justice the
deceased is regarded as a Shaheed and should not be given a bath.
D46.4 If a person was killed whilst protecting their life or property or trying
to help another Muslim then they are regarded as a Shaheed (meaning a bath should
not be given) whether they have been killed by a piece of metal, stone or stick
[Alamgiri].
D46.5 To take off all the clothes of a Shaheed and replace them with clean clothes
is Makrooh [Radd-ul-Mohtar, Alamgiri].
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