DEATH (MAUT)

TOPICS FREQUENT REMEMBRANCE OF DEATH WHAT A DYING PERSON SHOULD DO FEAR AND HOPE WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO MEET ALLAH FULFILLING HIS OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS PEOPLE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WILL WHAT TO DO FOR A DYING PERSON SUPPLICATING AND SAYING GOOD THINGS AVOIDING SINNING AND INNOVATIONS WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES PAYING OFF THE DEBTS GRIEVING AND MOURNING OVER DEATH OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND PROHIBITED PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH GRIEVING, MOURNING AND OFFERING CONDOLENCES PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING MOURNING UP TO THREE DAYS FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE PRESENT ANNOUNCING DEATH CONDOLENCE DESIGNATING A PLACE FOR RECEIVING CONDOLENCES AL-HUDA STUDENTS’ CONCERNS CONCLUSION WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Kullu Nafsin Zaaiqa tul Maut “Everyone shall taste death” A simple Guide to the stages of sickness, death, funeral and burial from the authentic texts of the Quraan & the Sunnah

FREQUENT REMEMBRANCE OF DEATH Constant reminders of death are a means of controlling our desires and restraining our greed for the dunya. Anas and Abu Huraira (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “Frequently remember the destroyer of pleasures: death; none would remember it availing a tightness of living but it would expand it for him; and none would remember it while in an ease of living but it would tighten it for him” (Ibn Hibban, al Bayhaqi and others). Remembering death helps a person not to despair when afflicted with hardships nor become arrogant when favored by an easy life.

WHAT A DYING PERSON SHOULD DO A dying person should have good thoughts and hopes towards Allah (SWA) and looking forward to His blessings and forgiveness. Jabir Bin Abdillah (RA) reported that the Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “None of you should die without having good expectations in Allah”. (Muslim) FEAR AND HOPE WITH A STRONG DESIRE TO MEET ALLAH Anas (RA) reported that the Messenger (رضي الله عنه) visited a young man who was dying. He asked him, “How do you feel?” He replied, “By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, I have hope in Allah, and I fear my sins.” The Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “These two qualities do not dwell together in a person’s heart in this situation (of death) but Allah (SWA) will grant him what he hopes, and save him from what he fears.” Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves meeting him. And whoever hates meeting Allah, Allah hates meeting him”.

FULFILLING HIS OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS PEOPLE Abu Huryrah radhiallahu anhu reported that the Prophet (رضي الله عنه) asked, “Do you know who is truly ruined?” The sahabah replied, “A ruined man among us is the one who does not posses money or property.” He (رضي الله عنه) then informed: “Indeed, a ruined person of my ummah is one who comes on the Day of Resurrection with prayers, fasting and zakah. However, he has abused so and so, defamed so and so, unlawfully consumed the wealth of so and so, shed the blood of so and so, and beaten so and so. Thus, this and that will be given from his good deeds. If his good deeds finish before fulfilling what he owes, he will be burdened with their sins, then hurled into the Fire.” (Muslim)

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS AND WILL A dying person should make sure that his will is current and to his liking. He should also give final instructions to his family and friends and other people around him, reminding them Of Allah and directing them to take care of fulfilling his obligations after his death. Jabir Bin Abdillah (RA) reported that on the eve of the battle of Uhud, his father summoned him and instructed him: “I expect to be among the first of the Prophet’s companions to be killed tomorrow. I am not leaving after me any soul more dear to me than you---except for Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) . I owe some debts, so pay them off. And take good care of your brothers and sisters”. (Al-Bukhari)

WHAT TO DO FOR A DYING PERSON Gently but firmly encourage them to say the Shahadah ---La illaha illa Allah--- there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, This is called talqeen. Abu Saeed al Khudri, Abu Huraira, and others reported that Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “Prompt your dying ones to say “La ilaha illa Allah”. Anyone who concludes his speech at the time of death with “La ilaha illa Allah” will enter Jannah one day, regardless of what happens to him prior to that”. Ibn Masood (RA) reported that Allah’s Messengers (رضي الله عنه) said: “Prompt your dying ones to say “La ilaha illa Allah”. Indeed a believer’s soul’s departure is easy like sweating (because of this statement), whereas a disbeliever’s soul departs from the side of his mouth (filthy and noisy) like a donkey’s soul”.

SUPPLICATING AND SAYING GOOD THINGS When visiting a dying person, one should supplicate sincerely for him and say good things that give him glad tidings. Umm Salamah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said:   “When you are present with a sick or dying person, say good things, because the angels endorse what you say (by saying Ameen).”

AVOIDING SINNING AND INNOVATIONS People present with a dying person should avoid acts of disobedience and practices that are not proven by the authentic sunnah.   Examples of such Innovations are recitation of Surah Ya-Seen and turning the dying person to face the direction of Qibla.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES: When a person’s soul leaves his body, those present should do a number of things: 1.Closing the Eyes  Umm Salamah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) visited Abu Salamah after his gaze became fixed (because of death). He closed his eyes and said:  “When the soul is taken, the eyesight follows it”.  On hearing this some of the relatives started weeping. So the Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said:  “Do not say but good things, because the angels say ‘Ameen’ to what you say”.  And he added: “O Allah! Forgive Abu Salamah, elevate his position among the guided ones, and raise good successors for him from among his progeny. Forgive us and him, O Lord of the Peoples! Expand his grave; and illuminate it for him”.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES: CONT’D 2.Supplication  The angels say Ameen to whatever is said at the time of death, as mentioned in the previous Hadith. This is a time of acceptance of duas, so one should make sincere duas for the deceased, asking Allah to forgive him, have mercy on him and let him into His Jannah, as the Prophet (رضي الله عنه) did for Abu Salamah. 3.Covering the Entire Body  The entire body should be covered with a sheet of cloth.  Aishah (RA) reported:  “When Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) passed away, he was completely covered with a soft embroidered piece of cloth”. (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON DIES: CONT’D 4.Hurrying for the Funeral Muslims should hasten to prepare the body for burial, and then bury it as quickly as possible. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “Hurry with a funeral. If it is for a good person, you bring it forward to its good destination; and if it is other than that, you drop the evil (quickly) off your necks”. 5.Burial in the Place of Death  In compliance with the Prophet’s (رضي الله عنه) command to hurry with the funeral, the body should not be transferred to another country, because that would delay the burial. Jabir Bin Abdillah (RA) reported:  “On the day of Uhud, the dead Muslims were carried to be buried in al-Baqi. But then it was announced that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu alaihi wasallam commands you to bury the dead ones in the place where they were killed”. That was after my mother had loaded my father and uncle (her brother) leveling their weights on the two sides of a camel. So they were all taken back and buried where they were killed”

“Is any of the family of such and such present”? PAYING OFF THE DEBTS As soon as possible, the deceased’s debts should be paid off from whatever wealth he left behind, even if that would exhaust all of it. If this is not possible, his closest relatives and other Muslims are encouraged to pay on his behalf. Sumurah Bin Jundub (RA) reported that the Prophet (رضي الله عنه) once prayed the morning prayer and then prayed Janazah for a dead man. After he finished he asked the people, “Is any of the family of such and such present”? Everybody was silent at first. After he repeated his question three times, a man from the back rows said, “Here I am,” and then dragging his garments, proceeded toward the Prophet (رضي الله عنه). The Prophet (رضي الله عنه) said: “What prevented you from responding to me in the first two times? I did not call out your name except for something good. This man (the deceased) is restrained by his debt from entering Jannah. So if you wish, ransom him; otherwise, surrender him to Allah’s punishment!”  Sumurah concluded, “You should have seen his family and other relatives hurrying to pay off his debts, until no one was left asking for anything from him.” (Abu Dawood, an-Nasai)

GRIEVING AND MOURNING OVER DEATH It is natural for the family, relatives and friends of the dead person to grieve for his departure. Emotional ties Feeling of dependability Feelings of kindness and concern about what will happen to him Islaam does not prohibit grieving, but prohibits wrong actions and practices associated with it.

OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND PROHIBITED PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH GRIEVING, MOURNING AND OFFERING CONDOLENCES Submission to Allah’s Decree Be patient Trust that Allah (SWA) will reward him for his affliction Declare that he belongs to Allah and unto Him he will return Patience----Part of Allah’s decree is for one to display patience and acceptance of the calamity that struck him Patience should be manifest from the beginning, not marred or damaged by the magnitude of the loss   Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “Indeed patience should be displayed at the beginning of the affliction”. (Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others).

OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND PROHIBITED… CONT’D Ihtishab One should look forward to Allah’s rewards and forgiveness for every affliction that occurs to him, regardless of its magnitude---this is called Ihtisaab. Death being a great affliction one should hope that Allah (SWA) will surely reward those who display sincere Ihtisaab. Abdullah Bin Amr (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “When Allah takes away from His believing servant his beloved one of the people of the earth, if he displays patience and Ihtisaab, Allah will not then accept any reward for him less than Jannah”.

OBIGATORY, PERMISSIBLE AND PROHIBITED… CONT’D Istirja One should express the belief in Allah’s Sovereignty over everything. Submission to his decree. One should frequently, thoughtfully, and truthfully proclaim Istirja, which is saying “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raajioon” Allah (SWA) says: “But give glad tidings to the patient—those who, when afflicted with a calamity, say, ‘Truly, to Allah we belong; and truly, to Him will we return.’ It is those who will be awarded blessings and mercy from their Lord; and it is those who are the guided ones.”

PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING Uncovering and Kissing the Dead Person -Those who were permitted to kiss the deceased during his life are allowed to kiss him after his death. Aishah (RA) reported: “The Prophet (رضي الله عنه) entered to where the body of Uthmaan Bin Mazoon was, uncovered his face, leaned over him, kissed him, and cried until I saw the tears running down his cheeks.”

PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING…CONT’D Weeping -It is permissible to weep quietly over the dead, provided that it does not reach the level of wailing and does not exceed three days. Anas (RA) accompanied Allah’s Messenger to Abu Sayf’s house when Ibraheem’s soul was departing from his body. Allah’s Messenger’s (رضي الله عنه) eyes started shedding tears, and Abdur Rahmaan Bin Awf exclaimed, “Even you (cry) O Allah’s Messenger!?” As his tears continued falling, Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “O Ibn ‘Awf, it is a mercy! The eyes shed tears, the heart feels sad, but we only say things pleasing to our Lord. We are indeed saddened by your departure, O Ibraheem.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others). “Allah does not punish for the tears of the eyes, nor the grief of the heart. But he punishes or gives mercy because of this (pointing to his tongue).” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

PERMISSIBLE ACTS OF GRIEVING…CONT’D Hidaad -Hidaad is a widowed woman’s abstinence from all things that would invite others to desire her and seek marrying. -Wearing perfume, using incense, putting eye liner, or other forms of makeup, wearing jewelry and attractive clothes, and leaving the house without need.  

MOURNING UP TO THREE DAYS -Except for her husband, it is not permissible for a woman to mourn more than three days over the death of a beloved one, such as her father, mother, brother, son and so on Umm Habibah (RA) the Messenger’s (رضي الله عنه) wife , said the she heard Allah’s Messenger say: “ It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to mourn over a dead person more than three days----except for her husband, where she mourns for four months and ten days.”

FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE PRESENT Wailing It is permissible to grieve for a beloved one, but if the grief exceeds the limits and becomes a form of objection to Allah’s decree, it becomes totally prohibited. Wailing may cause suffering for the deceased in his grave or the hereafter. Wailing---weeping or crying that exceeds moderateness to the level of screaming, and is often associated with words of excessive praise for the deceased or objection against Allah’s decree. Hitting the cheeks. Tearing the clothes etc.  

FORBIDDEN ACTS BY THOSE PRESENT…CONT’D Wailing is an act of Jahiliyyah Wailing is a practice that incurs a severe punishment on the Day of Judgment. Abdullah Bin Umar and Imraan Bin Husayn (RA) reported that the Prophet (رضي الله عنه) said: “A dead person is punished in his grave because of his family’s crying over him.” “The one who is wailed over will be punished on the day of Resurrection because of that wailing.”  

ANNOUNCING DEATH Defining Na’y -Na’y means announcing a person’s death. -Na’y is usually necessary in order to invite the people to pray Janazah for the deceased, supplicate for him, and look after his and his family’s affairs. -If the announcement reflects dissatisfaction with Allah’s decree, excessive praise of the deceased, or an invitation to the people to wail over him, it becomes prohibited and counts as a form of na’y of Jahiliyya. Prohibition of Na’y When someone died, Huthayfah Bin al-Yaman (RA) used to say: “Do not announce his death to anyone. I am afraid that it would count as na’y, and I heard Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) prohibit na’y.” (Tirmithi, Ibn Majah)

CONDOLENCE Virtue of Consoling the Muslims -It is recommended to console the family and close ones to the deceased, telling them things to reduce their sorrow, raise their hopes and help them be patient and submissive to Allah. -This is best done by saying things from the Sunnah. Anas Bin Malik (RA) reported that Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “Whoever consoles his brother in an affliction (that befell him), Allah will clothe him with a green suit with which he will be delighted on the Day of Resurrection.” -Offering condolences to the afflicted Muslims is an important expression of kindness and concern among.  

CONDOLENCE…CONT’D What to Say? -When consoling a Muslim, it is important to remind him of the triviality of this life. -Remind him that everything belongs to Allah, and that one should submit patiently to His degree. -Hopeful of Allah’s Mercy toward the beloved one that he lost. -InshaAllah he will be united with him on a Day after which there is no parting. Usamah Bin Zaid (RA) reported that one of the Messenger’s (رضي الله عنه) daughter sent someone to summon him, because a child of hers was dying. He (رضي الله عنه) told the envoy to say salaam to her and tell her: “To Allah belongs what He took, and to Him belongs what He gave. Everything is recorded with Him for an appointed term. So let her be patient and seek Allah’s reward (for her affliction).”

CONDOLENCE…CONT’D On hearing this, she sent again to her father, swearing that he must come. So the Prophet (رضي الله عنه) went to her with some of his companions, including Sa’d Bin Ubdah, Muath Bin Jabal, Ubbayy Bin Kaab, Zayd Bin Thabit, and others. The child was put in Allah’s Messenger’s (رضي الله عنه) lap, its breathing echoing as if in an empty water skin. His eyes shed some tears, and Sa’d exclaimed, “How is it that you are weeping, O Allah’s Messenger, when you prohibited us from that?” He replied: “I cry out of mercy for her, Allah only instills this mercy, in the heart of whomever He wills of His servants; and indeed, Allah does not grant mercy except to the merciful among his servants.”

CONDOLENCE…CONT’D Duration of the Consolation Contrary to Mourning, offering condolences is not limited to three days, but should extend for as long as there is a need for it. Making Food for the Deceased’s Family It is recommended for the relatives and neighbors to make food for the deceased’s family, enough to suffice them during the peak of their distress. When Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) learnt about the demise of Jafar (RA), he commanded: “Make food for Jafar’s family, because a matter has occurred diverting them (from normal life). Aisha (RA) used to order giving talbinah (a broth made with flour or bran; and some honey may be added to it) to the sick and those who are distressed for the loss of a beloved one, and she reported that Allah’s Messenger (رضي الله عنه) said: “Verily, talbinah soothes a sick person’s heart, and removes some distress.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) Many people have reversed the Sunnah by requiring from the deceased’s family to make food for other people during their mourning!

DESIGNATING A PLACE FOR RECEIVING CONDOLENCES A very common practice is gathering to offer condolences to the deceased’s family and relatives in the house, or masjid or funeral home. This is a sinful innovation that becomes worse when the visitors expect from the deceased’s family to offer them food, coffee, and other services. Jarir Bin Abdillah al-Bajali (RA) said: “We (the sahabah) considered gathering for the visiting the deceased’s family, and making food after burying him, both acts of wailing.” Ahmad and others. Imam Ash-Shafii said: “I dislike condolence gatherings, even if the people did not raise their voice with crying. That surely renews the distress, burdens the people with unnecessary expenses, and conflicts with the report of Jarir (RA).”

AL-HUDA STUDENTS’ CONCERNS: 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