In Islam, a Muslim should experience this life, death, and the hereafter. The three parts consist of the full life process of a person.

Most of us value real life and expect to get into heaven after the hereafter. Very few people concern with death.

However, death is a momentous moment. What we do before expiring will also affect our life after death. So how should a Muslim say goodbye to life before he enters the Islamic funeral grave? The article will tell you the funeral traditions of Muslims.

What should do when a Muslim expire?

There are four steps that the families should do when a Muslim breathes his last.

Step 1. When a Muslim dies, his family should be at his side and keep quiet. Then they need to close his mouth and eyes, taking off his clothes, and cover his body with a cloth.

Having done these things, they can report a loss to their neighbors, friends, and relatives. The people who receive the message should say ”Surely we belong to Allah and we will belong to Allah.”

Step 2. The next step is to clean the body. The body needs to be washed with water. The order is to wash the upper side first and the lower side later. Whatever side we wash, we should start from the right side and end with the left side.

After cleaning, the body must be wiped by a piece of clean cloth and smeared musk on the seven apertures in the human head to deodorize and keep the insect away.

Step 3. That done, the body should be wrapped with Kafan which is usually made of white cotton and printed with the scripture from the Quran. "I testified that there is no ruler but Allah; I testified that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Sacrificial objects and costly cerecloth are forbidden.

Step 4. Then, the families can make a last farewell with the deceased and put the corpse into the Tabati which belongs to customized funeral supplies made by the mosque.

How to hold a funeral for a Muslim?

The Islamic funeral has three characteristics. First, the body must be buried in the earth. Second, the funeral should be held as soon as possible. Third, a simple funeral is advocated.

The whole funeral process has three steps.

Step 1. Holding a special religious ritual for the dead. It is a vital part of the whole funeral. Participants need to clean their bodies before attending the ceremony.

When the rite starts, they should pray for the deceased by saying “Allah, you are the ruler of the dead. You created him, supported him, guided him, and today you took back his life. You know his words and deeds, we plead with you for him, and ask you to forgive him for his sins.” or "Allah, forgive those of us who are alive, those who are dead, those who are present, those who are not, forgive those of us who are men, women, and children. Whoever of us you keep alive, let him live in Islam; If you make him die, let him die on the Imani."

The process should keep solemn and participants do not bow to the dead during the ritual.

Step 2. When the ritual was finished, the dead will be carried to the Muslim cemetery by four pallbearers. But the retinues can replace them en route. The bearers must walk fast but do not run.

Because in Islam, attending the funeral of a Muslim or carrying the body of the dead can help people get rid of sin, the number of attendees is usually large.

Participators other than pallbearers should walk near the dead for this is deemed as Sunnah. But the riders can only run behind the deceased.

Step 3. When arriving at the cemetery, the corpse needs to be put into the grave. Then, the attendee should hold up three handfuls of soil and say” I create you from the earth. ” “I bring you back to the earth.” “I will raise you from the earth again.” in turn. Whereafter, people can shovel dirt into the grave.

What should be paid attention to in Muslim funeral？

Muslims need to obey the following points during the funeral process.

1. The corpse must be buried within three days. Ordinarily, if a Moslem dies in the morning, then he will be buried in the afternoon. If he dies in the afternoon, the body will be sent to the cemetery the next day.

2. The funeral must be simple and solemn. Grand funeral is discouraged.

What Should do after the funeral?

Normally the families do not cook the meal at home on the day of the funeral. After a time, the families should visit the Muslim cemetery grave, read Koran, and make Duayi for the dead. The dates for visiting differentiate in every region.

The goal of these practices is not only to remember the deceased but also to remind the living about death and the hereafter.

Below are some questions that you may meet when attending a traditional Muslim funeral and we also provide the answers.

Question 1. What should wear at a funeral?

White clothes are the most common dressing. But other dark colors like black and grey are also allowable.

Question 2. What should a man care about when attending a funeral?

Man should wear loose clothes and the clothes need to cover up to the neck. Do not show any skin.

Question 3. What should a woman notice when attending a funeral?

Woman’s clothes should cover every part of their body except the face, hands, and feet. It is better to wear a headscarf. Makeup is not recommended as sometimes it would make you look striking.

Question 4. What should a non-Muslim notice when attending an Islamic funeral?

There is no specific requirement about the attire of a non-Muslim. But it is always advisable to wear plain and quiet on such occasions. After all, nobody wants himself to be abrupt at a funeral.

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