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Noor Guideنور

When a Muslim dies

أحكام الجنائز

This is the module nobody reads until they need it, and by then there is no time to learn. What follows is the sequence, and the words to say. It is a communal obligation: if some of the community carry it out, the duty is lifted from the rest.

At the moment of death

  1. 1

    Encourage the dying person gently to say the declaration of faith.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 916
  2. 2

    After death, close the eyes and cover the body.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 920
  3. 3

    Say the words of patience, and supplicate for the deceased.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 918
  4. 4

    Settle the debts of the deceased without delay.

    Hadith: Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1078

Washing and shrouding

  1. 1

    The body is washed an odd number of times by people of the same sex, except that a spouse may wash a spouse.

    The narration permits three, five, or more washings. That the count is odd, and that the washer is of the same sex except between spouses, are the agreed practice rather than wording in this narration.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1253
  2. 2

    The body is then wrapped in simple white cloth.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1264
  3. 3

    Someone who dies in the state of pilgrimage is washed and shrouded but not perfumed, and the head is left uncovered.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1265
  4. 4

    Those killed on the battlefield are buried in their clothes, without being washed.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1346

The funeral prayer

  1. 1

    It is prayed standing, with no bowing and no prostration.

    The narrations describe standing in rows and the takbirs only. That the prayer has no bowing and no prostration is agreed upon.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1245
  2. 2

    After the first takbir, recite Surah Al-Fatiha.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1335
  3. 3

    After the second, send blessings upon the Prophet as in the tashahhud.

    The four schools agree that blessings upon the Prophet follow the second takbir, on the fuller wording of Abu Umamah's report on the funeral prayer.

    Scholarly consensus
  4. 4

    After the third, supplicate for the deceased.

    The narration preserves the supplication. Placing it after the third takbir is the arrangement the schools agree on.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 963
  5. 5

    After the fourth, pause briefly and then give the tasleem.

    Hadith: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1989

Burial and after

  1. 1

    Burial is done without delay, with the body laid on its right side facing the qibla.

    The narration commands haste. Laying the body on its right side facing the qibla is the agreed practice.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1315
  2. 2

    Stand at the grave afterwards and ask forgiveness and steadfastness for the deceased.

    Hadith: Sunan Abu Dawud 3221
  3. 3

    Visiting graves is encouraged as a reminder of the hereafter.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 976
  4. 4

    Wailing and striking oneself are not from the Sunnah.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1294
  5. 5

    Continue to supplicate for them, give charity on their behalf, and fulfil their pledges.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 1631