by Author Name Withheld 126

Created on: July 06, 2009   Last Updated: July 11, 2009

The life of a Muslim is dedicated to faith and submission. The peace brought by this choice comes from seeing the truth in Allah. All earthly actions and rituals are a statement of faith to those who remain; thus, death is inherently the final call to faith. Ultimately, it is the beginning of the second creation.

The Islamic funeral ceremony is dictated by Sharia law (Islamic religious law), which is one of the three root legal systems of the world. Cremation and other practices are forbidden, so burial always occurs along with a very specific ritual process. As little delay as possible is taken before follow the below procession of events:

-Ritual Cleaning-

Purity and cleanliness are a vital part of Islamic faith. The corpse is subjected to ghusl (full ablution), which is part of purification used in major events and rituals in Muslim faith. Like wudu (partial ablution), only certain sources of water may be used. These include rain water, well water, flowing water, and larger bodies or collections of water. Any contaminated water is forbidden, which include extracted water, water that has absorbed enough external properties to change appearance, smaller bodies and collections of water, and water into which something unclean has fallen or interacted.

Cleansing is part of sunnah as opposed to hadith because it involves the recorded actions of Muhammad specifically rather than intellectual concepts and teaching alone. In a sense, such rituals and beliefs are regarded at the highest level. During purification the body is thoroughly soaked while a cloth is placed over it with Attention given to ensuring modest exposure of the body. The closest relation to the deceased usually gives this rite.

The male is bathed by the father, son, or brother and female by mother, daughter, or sister. A wife is permitted to clean the husband when no other males are available, but the husband may not cleanse the wife. In the case of prepubescent children, there is no specific restriction placed when immediate family are not available. The head of the deceased is directed toward Qibla. No trimming of hair or nails is permitted and all foreign objects should be removed from the body.

-Enshrouding-

Kafan (burial cloth) are wrapped around the body. A male is given three pieces, whereas a female will receive five. The process of placing the kafan is called takfeen. Just as with purification, this process mirrors the sunnah ritual of Muhammad. Each cloth should contain excess as

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