AL-HUDA STUDENTS’ CONCERNS: AUTOPSY EMBALMING DESEASED SISTERS HANDLED BY MALE STAFF AT THE HOSPITAL. THE STAFF PRESENT AT THE TIME OF DEATH DOES NOT CLOSE THE EYES, STRAIGHTEN THE ARMS AND LEGS OR CLOSE THE MOUTH ETC. BODY IS SENT TO THE MORGUE, WHERE IT IS KEPT UNATTENDED AND UNCOVERED. WHEN THE BODY BAG IS REMOVED THERE ARE NO CLOTHES UNDER IT.

AFTER VISITING MANY HOSPITALS AND TALKING TO THE STAFF, I CONCLUDED THE FOLLOWING: INFORMATION CONCERNING MUSLIM PATIENTS IS AVAILABLE TO THE STAFF IN THE FORM OF BOOKLETS AND BROCHURES. MUSLIM VOLUNTEERS SHOULS VISIT PATIENTS WHEN THE NEED ARISES. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE? THE FAMILY OF THE PATIENT SHOULD BE PRESENT AND INFORM THE STAFF AT THE HOSPITAL OF WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AT THE TIME OF DEATH AND AFTER DEATH HAS OCCURRED. INSPITE OF ALL THE INFORMATION THAT THE HOSPITALS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY MASJIDS AND ISLAMIC CENTERS THE STAFF NEEDS TO BE INFORMED ON A REGULAR BASIS AS STAFF CHANGES WITH EVERY SHIFT. MUSLIMS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE GRAFIC AND DEGRADING PROCEDURES OF EMBALMING AND AUTOPIES.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE…CONT’D TRANSPORTING A DEAD BODY TO ANOTHER COUNTRY IS AGAINST THE SUNNAH AND NOT PERMISSIBLE. EVEN IF A MUSLIM WANTS TO DO SO THE NEXT OF KIN SHOULD INFORM THEM OF THE ISLAMIC RULING WHILE THEY ARE ALIVE. IF A MUSLIM HAS PUT THIS DOWN IN HIS WILL, IT SHOULD BE CHANGED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ISLAMIC SHARIAH. EDUCATING OURSELVES ABOUT DEATH AND FUNERALS ACCORDING TO THE QURAAN AND AUTHENTIC SUNNAH AND BECOMING AWARE OF INNOVATIONS. A MUSLIMS LIFE AND DEATH SHOULD BE IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS CREATOR. INNA SALATE WA NUSUKI WA MAHYA WA MAMATI LILLAHE RABIL AALAMEEN