After Christianity, Islam is the most followed religion globally, with a Muslim population of about 2 billion, which makes up around 24.7% of the global population. It is known for its revolutionary history, unique customs, and traditions. The teachings of Islam are different from other religions; leading a meaningful life is taught and followed as mentioned in the holy book of the Quran. However, death also plays a significant role in the present life of Muslims. While Islam may have certain teachings for life, it also strictly requires certain rituals to be performed after death. Muslims are involved in their customs and traditions dutifully; they strive to maintain the etiquettes regularly, typically on important occasions.
In Islam, a funeral is one of the ceremonies that holds great significance as your life is associated with the journey of the hereafter. A funeral of a Muslim has high moral and religious values, and the death of a loved one leaves the family in emotional distress and heart-wrenching pain. It is important to mourn the loss and morally support the grieving family. You can pay your respects to them by attending the deceased’s funeral, but make sure you follow the guidelines. Here is a guide of the customs or rituals of the ceremony and what to wear as Muslim funeral attire.
The Muslim Beliefs of Death:
Death is considered inevitable in every religion, but Muslims believe in the afterlife after death. Typically, in Islam, your acts and deeds throughout your life journey play a vital role after death, as you are questioned in the hereafter. If your deeds are not according to the Islamic teachings, your end will be hellfire, whereas, if you perform good deeds in your lifetime, you will enter Paradise or Heaven on the Day of Judgement. This day is considered the end of the world when the dead will aboard to their final destinations of either peace in Paradise or suffering in Hell based on their acts of life.
A Muslim Funeral:
Religiously, a Muslim funeral is a spiritual ceremony to mourn the loss of the deceased and support the family in a difficult time. It is a way of submission to Allah (God of Muslims) and remembering that every soul shall return to Him. During this event, Muslims gather to pray for the deceased’s mercy and offer condolences to the mourning family. Traditionally, this ceremony takes place soon after death.
Planning and Preparation of the Funeral:
It is stated by Islamic law, also called sharia, that the preparations for the funeral must take place soon after a loved one’s death. Mourners are not allowed to view the body; however, viewing can only take place for the immediate family. In some families, a male body is viewed only by men and a female by women only. The Islamic organizations are contacted for the assistance of the funeral by the deceased’s family members. Usually, a funeral home or a mosque is arranged for a Muslim funeral.
The Body Preparation:
As soon as the death of a loved one occurs, the family closes their mouth and eyes; and a white sheet is wrapped to cover the body. The body is thoroughly cleansed and washed thrice by close family members of the same gender; this bath is known as the Ghusl. Next, the body’s left hand is placed on the chest, and the right hand is then placed on top of it. Traditionally, a large shroud and white sheets are tied with ropes to cover the body properly. As stated in the sharia, it is the official Muslim funeral attire of the dead known as a Kafan.
Muslims believe in burial by returning the body to dust and naturally decomposing it. Hence, cremation is strictly prohibited, and an autopsy is forbidden. However, the donation of organs is allowed by Islamic law.
The Funeral Ceremony:
A Muslim funeral starts with mourners gathering at a mosque for the deceased’s final funeral prayers called Salat al-Janazah, which is offered to repent and seek forgiveness for the loved one and other Muslims. The prayers are led by a religious leader known as Imam; the attendees stand in at least three parallel rows behind him, facing Mecca. Once the prayers are offered, the body is taken to the gravesite or a graveyard for burial. The Muslim funeral attire should be clean, tidy, and simple to offer funeral prayers.
The Burial:
Traditionally, only men are allowed at the burial site, but women can also view the burial from a distance in some communities. For a Muslim burial, the dug grave should be perpendicular in position to Mecca. The body is lowered into the grave with a final prayer. A close family member positions the body so that it leans on its right side, facing the city of Mecca. A wooden slab or stones are placed above the grave to cover it. According to the Islamic ritual, each mourner throws three handfuls of soil or dirt until the grave is fully covered. Lastly, a stone or rock as a marker is placed on the grave to indicate the final resting place of the loved one.
After the Funeral:
Following the funeral prayers and burial, mourners gather at the deceased’s home to offer condolences to the family and support them to mourn their loss. Food is served to the attendees as they help the family to cope with the loss of their loved one.
What is the Time Limit of a Muslim Funeral and Burial?
Funerals of Muslims do not take a long time and they last for a minimum of 30 minutes or a maximum of 60 minutes. In this time, prayers and Arabic recitations from the Quran are read. At the same time, the burial is supposed to take place as early as possible after death. Most families perform the rites within a 24-hour time limit. According to Islamic law, a delay is not made in the burial of Muslims as it is believed the body should return to dust as soon as possible.
The Mourning Period:
In Muslims, the mourning period is typically 40 days following the death. During this period, close relatives and members of the community bring food for the grieving family as help and a symbol of respect for them. They also gather to recite the holy Quran for the loved one’s eternal peace and pray for their mercy. A widow observes a longer mourning period than other family members, stays inside the home, and is supposed to limit contact with men and involve in outdoor activities.
What to Wear to a Muslim Funeral?
A Muslim funeral attire varies for both men and women. If you are attending a funeral of a Muslim, wearing dark and subdued colors is a perfect choice. Try to avoid vibrant and bright colors or any extravagant clothing to draw the mourners’ attention. Keep your attire as simple as possible; no flashy or large patterned clothes are worn at the funeral. The feet are kept covered, and open-toe shoes are usually avoided. However, the shoes are taken off during the funeral prayers or when visiting the family for condolence as a sign of respect.
For Men:
Men should follow the traditional Muslim dress code, loose-fitted shirt paired with trousers. Usually, dark colors or plain white attire is worn by men at the funeral. The dress should be modest and cover most of the skin; pants should be ankle-length, sleeves should cover full arms, and the shirt should be properly buttoned-up. Any informal clothing at the funeral is avoided.
For Women:
Muslim funeral attire for women is modest and conservative. Women should wear a simple dark-colored long dress or a knee-length shirt paired with trousers covering ankles. Muslim women usually wear a head-scarf to cover the head; however, if you find trouble wearing it, try to cover your hair and neck as much as possible. Avoid wearing fancy or revealing clothes and cover your skin and feet. Colors can range from black to dark shades, or even plain white attire can be the best fit to wear at the funeral. Women should also refrain from wearing makeup or jewelry as it is flashy and causes distraction.
Who Can Attend a Muslim Funeral?
There is no restriction at the funeral; any Muslim or non-Muslim can attend it. However, one should dress modestly and behave respectfully. Unlike men, women are not permitted to attend the burial, but communities have started allowing women to view the burial of their loved ones with modern times.
Attending a funeral is an emotionally challenging experience. It is a tough and painful period for the deceased’s family; showing respect and supporting them can help comfort them. If you plan to attend an Islamic funeral, follow the above guide to understand the customs or rituals of the ceremony and what to wear as Muslim funeral attire.