The death is a thing of Allah’s Almighty unchangeable provision. The existence of this death is a warning to all Muslims that we should not be tempted by the favors of the world. The following below here are the 17 rules of funeral prayer in Islam that we as Muslims should know.
- The law of funeral prayer (corpse prayer)
Every living being created by Allah will surely die. The death of a person no man knows, only Allah SWT. When a Muslim dies, Muslims must perform a prayer. As for implementing this prayer, the law is fardhu kifayah. Below is the Messenger of Allah says in his hadith. See also The Law of Receiving Gifts in Islam
“The Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam never brought a dead man and he has a debt. Then he asked, ‘Does the person have the surplus of property to pay the debt?’ If it turns out he did not pay off and have the excess of the property and then the debt is repaid, then the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam did the funeral prayer. But if not paid off, then he said to the Muslims,’ Pray for your brother’.” (Muslim)
2. Bathe the body
Before performing the prayer, the Prophet Muhammad taught us to bathe him first after that his body should wrap in a white shroud. Then finally, we do funeral prayer. The purpose of bathing the corpse, it returns his body back holy. In here below Rasulullah said in hadith.
“Whoever prays and does not accompany his corpse, then for him (reward) one qiroth. “Some of the qiroth?” “The smallest measure of the two qiroths is like the mountain of Uhud,” he replied Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam. (Muslim Bukhari)
3. Allowed for husband or wife bath his body
In Islam, either the husband or wife if one of them dies first. It is permissible to bathe him to wrap his body in a white shroud. Below here is the hadith. See also The Law of Dancing for Women in Islam
“If you died before me, I would bathe and shroud you.” (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, Ad Darimi)
4. Can not bathe and bury the unbelievers
Whilst Muslims may not bathe and bury the unbelievers, this rule is already written in the holy book of the Quran. Below the following here Allah says in the Quran.
“And do not pray (the funeral prayer, O Muhammad), over any of them who has died-ever-or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient “ (Verse 9:84)
5. Sunnah to give fragrance to the body
Rasulullah SAW taught us that anyone who died and was bathed, please to cover his body with three pieces of white cloth and gave a fragrance to his body. See also The Law of Refusing Guest in Islam
“If you give fragrance to the corpse, then give it three times.” (Ahmad) [AdSense-B]
6. It is allowed to open and kiss the face of the corpse
As in a hadith narrated Aisha Radhiyallahu Anha said that is allowed for family or relatives to open and kiss the face of the corpse. Rasulullah (PBUH) also did the same thing when his friend died. Below here is the hadith.
“I saw the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam kissed Uthman bin Madh’un Radhiyallahu’ Anhu when he had died until I saw his tears.” (Abu Dawud and At Tirmidhi)
7. The procedure of funeral prayer
In Islam, the procedure of funeral prayer is a corpse is a man then the Imam will stand in line with the head of the corpse. But if she is a woman, the Imam will stand in the middle. In this case, the follower of prayer must stand behind the Imam. Below here is the hadith. See also Law of Brushing Teeth During Fasting
“Whoever performs the funeral prayer with three shafts, then he is indeed forgiven.” (Tirmidhi)
8. Sunnah Rasulullah teachings
Rasulullah SAW teaches us, dissolved for anyone who has finished bathing the body then take a shower. As well as whoever buried the corpse he should do wudhu. Below here Rasulullah SAW says in his hadith.
“Whoever baths the corpse, let him take a shower. And whoever carries the body, let him do wudhu.”
(Ahmad, Abu Dawud)
9. Perform a funeral prayer is permitted by the Prophet (SAW)
[AdSense-A] First, the funeral prayer was forbidden by Rasulullah SAW because people often carelessly trust and keep inanimate objects. However, now the Messenger of Allah permitted them with an excuse.
They are now more (think) rational after the Prophet has made a profound reference to the unity of Allah. Below here is Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam said in his hadith. See also The Law of Cutting Hair While Pregnant
“Actually I have forbidden you to visit the tomb, then (now) visit the tomb.” (Imam Muslim and Abu Daud)
10. Remember the end of the day
The purpose of making the pilgrimage of the grave is to remind us of the death and the signs of doom at the end of the day. With this, may we as Muslims do not e tempted by the favors of the world. So, by performing the funeral prayer we can also prepare (faith) to become a better human being. Below here is the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in his hadith.
“For the grave’s grave will remind the hereafter.” (Imam Al Baihaqy, Imam Nasai, and Imam Ahmad)
11. The law of dua at the grave
The law of carrying out the grave pilgrimage in Islam is certainly allowed as long as with the note that the activity of the funeral prayer aims to improve our faith and devotion to Allah Almighty. Performing the funeral prayer that is not allowed is to plunge the Ummah to the practice of shirk. Below here Allah says in the Holy Book of Quran. See also Law of Ramadan Fasting for The Traveller
“Say,’He is Allah (who is) One’. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born. Nor is there to Him any equivalent'” (Verse 112:1-4)
12. Say greeting when entering the tomb
As for the greetings taught by our Apostle, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the time we will enter the tomb. Below here is a complete hadith.
“From Buraidah Radhi Allahu ‘anhu, the Prophet Sallallahu’ alaihi wa Sallam taught them (the Companions) if they went to the cemetery to say” salutation to the inhabitants of the houses (graves) and Mu’min and Muslim, may Allah bless the former from we and the last, and we will Insha Allah follow you, we ask Allah Almighty for salvation for us and for you “
13. Do not sit on the grave and step on it
When entering the grave, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) ordered us to do not sit on it (the grave) or step on the grave. This can be hurting them (tomb’s inhabitants). Below here is the following as hadith. See also Rules Of Mourning In Islam
From Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If any of you are sitting on a coals of fire to burn his clothes and pierce his skin, it is better than sitting on the grave” (Muslim)
14. Do not wear sandals when entering the grave
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) also teaches us to do not wear sandals when entering the grave. He also said do not step on the grave, step over the tombstone and ruin it. Below here is a hadith narrated by Bashir bin Khashashiyah’s friend Radhi Allahu ‘anhu.
“When the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam was walking, suddenly he saw someone walking between the graves by wearing sandals. Then the Messenger of Allah said, “O people of sandals, woe to you! Take off your sandals! “Then the person saw (the person who shouted at him). When he recognizes (if that person is) the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam, he took off his two sandals and threw it, ”
(Abu Dawud, An Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, Ahmad)
15. Praying for a Muslim
Any Muslim who dies, We as a faith person and still lives we must pray for that person. Although we do not know the person, we must pray for them. Below here is a prayer that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us to pray for any Muslim who dies. See also Islamic Rules for Womens Dress
“May salvation be upon you, O people of the grave, of the believers and the Muslims. We will Insha Allah follow you, I ask for salvation for us and you guys. “ (Muslim)
16. Muslims should not pray for disbelievers who die
Otherwise, in Islam, The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) does not allow us Muslims to pray for the disbelievers who have died. This is a provision that has been forbidden by Allah in hadith and Quran. However, if we pray for them (disbeliever) to be given hidayah then it is permissible in Islam.
“It is not for the Prophet, and those who believe, to pray for the forgiveness of idolaters even though they may be near of kin (to them) after it hath become clear that they are people of hell-fire.
The prayer of Abraham for the forgiveness of his father was only because of a promise he had promised him, but when it had become clear unto him that he (his father) was an enemy to Allah he (Abraham) disowned him. Lo! Abraham was soft of heart, long-suffering.” (Verse 9:113-114)
17. Both men and women may perform a funeral prayer
Is there any rule in Islam anyone who can perform a funeral prayer? Rasulullah (PBUH) once said that anyone Muslim both of men and women may perform a funeral prayer. Below here The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) says in his hadith. See also Rules of Sleeping in Islam View
“Formerly I forbade you from the pilgrimage of the grave (funeral prayer), so now make a pilgrimage” (Muslim)
Hopefully, the 17 funeral of prayer in Islam may be a benefit for all of us Muslims in all over the world. As a believing Muslim let us continue to remember Allah Almighty until death approaches us. Surely only Allah knows about everything that exists in the world and the hereafter.