Islamic funeral rites: No speeches, please

Muslims perform the Eid al-Adha morning prayer around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca. [AFP]

The Islamic faith has quite firm guidelines regarding funeral services and how long, after death, a Muslim is buried.

Twaha Omar, the Imam at Masjid Ibrahim in Nakuru, says according to the Islamic burial rites after one dies there are a few important rituals that are observed.

“One should be buried as soon as possible but there is a provision of time if maybe someone died out of the country and the family wishes to  bury them at home,’’ Omar says.

Generally, organ donation is allowed in Islam depending with the preference of the family or if the deceased had wished to do so.

But autopsies are seen as a desecration and are not allowed by Islamic law, although they may still be a legal requirement in some countries.

“Unless it’s necessary we Muslims do not see the need of performing autopsies unless the authorities require us to do so. This is because we also believe once someone dies despite the cause of death they will not rise again,” Omar adds.

The Imam says they do not allow cremation as they believe people should be valued and respected even in death. In some instances, they allow embalming depending on the wishes of the family.

He adds that the preparation before an Islamic funeral consists of two rituals called Ghusl and Kafan.

In the Ghusl, close family members of the same sex as the person who has died wash the body.

“When a woman dies the preparation of the bodies is normally done by women and vice versa and there is a way the deceased body is washed systematically and with special body wash that is scented,” Imam Omar explains.

Bodies are usually washed three times, but additional washes are allowed depending on the state of the body.

The Kafan involves wrapping the body with large sheets, one on top of the other. Male bodies are typically wrapped in three sheets while female bodies are wrapped in five.

“In Islam we highly value women even in death that is why they are wrapped in extra clothing,” Omar explains.

The body is then secured with a rope on the upper body part, in the middle and around the feet  before being transported to the mosque.

“Once the body enters the Mosque, it is placed in the front of the Imam. If the body belongs to a man, the Imam will stand where the head of the deceased’s body is and if it is a woman, the Imam stands at the middle of the body,” adds Omar.

No viewing of the body takes place during funeral services. Mourners are given time to view the body at home or where the body was prepared before it was taken to the mosque.

Most Islamic funerals follow a traditional order. Muslim funeral prayers usually take a short time. There are usually no speeches even by family members.

“At the mosque we usually do not have speeches of any kind. It is only the teaching from the Imam and then we proceed to the grave site,”he adds.

After prayers, the congregation lines up in rows and pass the coffin from shoulder to shoulder towards the grave site for burial. The passing of the coffin is done by men.

Only men are allowed to attend the burial of the body. Some Muslims may curve the grave inwards or dig another one inside the same grave.

For a Muslim burial, the grave should be perpendicular to Mecca, the Holy city, with the body placed on their right side facing Mecca.

While the body is being placed in the grave, the mourners recite a prayer.

Wood and stones are placed on top so that the soil does not come in direct contact with the body.

The Imam may recite another prayer, and each mourner will then throw a handful of soil into the grave.

Traditionally, the family will gather in their home and receive guests after an Islamic funeral.

Usually the community provides food for the bereaved for the first three days after the funeral.

The mourning period lasts for 40 days, but can vary depending on the preference of the family.

For widows, the mourning period is even longer. It takes  four months and ten days or more, during which they are forbidden to interact with men who they could potentially marry.

If you are attending an Islamic funeral and you are not a Muslim, it is important to be aware of Muslim funeral customs for non-Muslims.

For example, the Islamic funeral prayer should be recited only by members of the Muslim faith, though respectful observers are welcome.

Both men and women are expected to dress modestly, so bear that in mind when deciding what to wear to an Islamic funeral.