Managing a Janazah or the deceased is no easy feat. One requires a lot of knowledge, patience, skills and familiarity with legal and procedural requirements.
This process can be particularly overwhelming during the loss of a loved one, making it essential to handle these duties with respect and care.
It is a huge responsibility to manage the burial of Janazah so it must be done appropriately to honour, respect and dignify the deceased.
In this article, we will explore death and funerals in Islam, the basic etiquette when dealing with death, and basic steps of managing the funeral proceedings in Singapore, Insha’Allah.
Death and Funerals in Islam
Every soul shall taste death, and even after death – the soulless body should and must be cared for with dignity and respect. In the Qur’an, Allah Almighty mentions:
كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ ٱلنَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ
Every soul will taste death and you will be paid in full only on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is kept away from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have triumphed. The present world is only an illusory pleasure. [Qur’an, 3:185]
Whatever actions that has been done in this world will be compensated in the HereAfter, and we can only ask for Allah Almighty’s Divine Mercy, Blessings and Favour to ease that part of our journey towards our final abode.
It is also important to remember that asking for death is prohibited, regardless of the trials one faces. Instead, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us to pray:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should say: “O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.’ ” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
This truly gives us a lesson on how we should continue to strive for a meaningful and purposeful life, regardless of the difficulties we face. Allah Almighty gifted us with this opportunity to live in His Servitude, and it is our Amanah and opportunity to make the most out of it.
Etiquette during Funerals
So, what about funerals in Islam? What does Islam say about burials? How does one go about dealing with the deceased according to the Qur’an and Sunnah?
It is important to know that these etiquette aren’t limited to just Muslim funerals. Islam acknowledges the right to respect for all mankind, regardless of faith. This is proven in one of the hadiths of the Prophet ﷺ:
Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:
A funeral procession passed in front of us and the Prophet (ﷺ) stood up and we too stood up. We said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! This is the funeral procession of a Jew.” He said, “Whenever you see a funeral procession, you should stand up.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
Therefore, all funerals must be respected. So, if one of our non-Muslim friends have passed, we should perform our duly responsibility to visit their funeral to respect their death, culture and grieving family.
Now, moving on to Muslim funerals. What are some of the etiquette during funerals?
1. Recite ‘Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiu’un’
Upon hearing of a death, Muslims should recite “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiu’un” (Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return). This expression acknowledges the reality of death and reflects acceptance of God’s will, offering solace and reinforcing faith during moments of grief.
It was narrated from Fatimah bint Husain that her father said:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever was stricken with a calamity and when he remembers it he says ‘Inna lillahi, wa inna ilayhi raji’un (Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return),’ even though it happened a long time ago, Allah will record for him a reward like that of the day it befell him.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
2. Close the deceased’s eyelids and cover the body
It is recommended to gently close the deceased’s eyelids and cover the body with a clean sheet. This act respects the dignity of the deceased, ensuring their body is treated with care and honor before the final rites are performed according to Islamic traditions.
3. Burial take place as quickly as possible after death
Islamic practice emphasizes prompt burial following death. This urgency respects the deceased’s body, aligns with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, and helps alleviate any delay in the mourning process. For those interested in learning how to manage janazah (funeral) procedures effectively, consider enrolling in our Janazah Management Course in Singapore to gain comprehensive knowledge and skills.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, “Hurry up with the dead body (for its burial), for if it is pious, you are speeding it to goodness and if it is otherwise, you are laying an evil off your necks.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
4. Family members to pay off debts of the deceased
It is a significant responsibility for the family of the deceased to settle any outstanding debts. This act of fulfilling financial obligations ensures the deceased’s affairs are put in order, reflecting Islamic principles of justice and responsibility, and securing peace for the deceased in the afterlife.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The soul of the deceased believer remains pending on account of the debt till it (the debt) is repayed.” [At-Tirmidhi]
5. Notify friends and families of the deceased
Informing friends and family about the death is crucial in Islam. This ensures that loved ones have the opportunity to offer condolences, participate in the funeral rites, and join in prayers for the deceased. It fosters community support and acknowledges the importance of shared mourning.
6. Meals to be prepared for the family of the deceased
In the days following a death, it is a thoughtful gesture to prepare meals for the grieving family. This tradition alleviates their burden during a time of mourning, allowing them to focus on their loss and perform the necessary rites, while also fostering support.
Abdullah bin Ja’far said:
“When the news of the death of Ja’far came, the Prophet said: ‘Prepare some food for the family of Ja’far, for indeed something has happened to them that will keep them busy.’” [Jami’ At-Tirmidhi]
How to Cope with Loss of a Loved One and Grief
As a normal human being, we are vulnerable. It is only a natural response for us to feel devastated by the loss of a loved one, especially when they’ve been a huge part of our lives.
In Islam, Allah Almighty condones sadness as it’s a natural human response to trials and tribulations. Even the Prophet ﷺ went through immense difficulties in his life, wept and faced emotional distress.
When Sayyidina Ibrahim (radiallahu anhu), the Prophet’s (ﷺ) son, was on his deathbed, the Prophet ﷺ kissed him, smelled him, and began to cry. ‘Abdurrahman ibn ‘Awf رضي الله عنه remarked, “O Messenger of Allah, even you are weeping!”
The Prophet ﷺ replied, “O Ibn ʿAwf, this is mercy.” He continued to weep and said, “Indeed the eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, but we will not say except what pleases our Lord. O Ibrahim! We are grieved by your separation.”
We must remember that tribulation softens our hearts, while heedlessness hardens it, as our last resort for relief will always fall back to reconnecting with our Lord, the Creator of the Universe.
In times of trials, here’s a few practical tips on how you can cope with grief and loss:
1. Be present in your feelings and don’t deny them.
As mentioned in the hadith earlier, the Prophet ﷺ highlighted that sadness is a form of mercy. It indicates that your heart is capable of experiencing one of the many sensations Allah Almighty has endowed upon you for your growth and betterment. Allow it to flow, and remain present with it.
2. Seek comfort from your loved ones or the people you trust.
We are created to share goodness with others—offering mercy, warmth, and compassion, just as the Prophet ﷺ did. Being on the receiving end is not something to shy away from. There is no harm in seeking comfort from those you trust, whether it’s a loved one or a professional. It’s not a sign of weakness, but rather a reminder that you are human, and by doing so, you are giving someone else the opportunity to do good.
3. Let it all out to Allah Almighty, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Every human being has their own capacity, and every human being has their own limitations. It can feel burdensome to constantly be a listener while dealing with personal difficulties—and that’s okay.
The ultimate solution to any grief you’re experiencing lies in communicating with Allah, the Most Merciful. If your heart remains heavy and your emotional distress unrelieved, even after seeking comfort from others, turn to Allah Almighty as your final refuge.
He will never grow tired of listening to you. He will never neglect or ignore you. In fact, His Divine Compassion and Mercy towards you only increase as you fully rely on Him—falling freely into His Divine Embrace.
He will always be there for you. You just need to seek Him.
In conclusion, navigating the responsibilities and emotions associated with funerals and loss is a profound and delicate process. Islam provides us with clear guidelines on honoring and managing the deceased, emphasizing the importance of respect, urgency, and community support.
To learn more about the etiquette and technical processes of dealing with the deceased, join our Janazah management course in Singapore.
Equally, coping with grief is an essential aspect of this journey, as our faith encourages us to embrace our feelings, seek solace from loved ones, and ultimately turn to Allah Almighty for comfort and guidance.
By following the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ and maintaining our connection with Allah, we can find peace and strength in the face of loss, honoring both the departed and our own emotional well-being. May we all be granted the wisdom and patience to navigate these challenges with grace and faith.
