Islam For Dummies by Malcolm Clark

Author:Malcolm Clark
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781119643043
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2019-08-14T00:00:00+00:00

Burial

Burial occurs on the day of death, if possible. In a Muslim country, a procession winds its way through the streets, with four men carrying the bier. Strangers are encouraged to join the procession for a short distance. Sometimes women mourners who loudly cry out their sorrow are hired, although this practice is frowned on by legal scholars.

The grave is deep enough to protect from wild animals and to conceal odors. Coffins are permitted but not normally used unless legally required. A niche is carved out in one side of the grave, where the corpse is placed facing Mecca. If the first part of the shahada (“there is no God but God”) wasn’t said while the person was dying, it’s spoken at this time. Someone may give a brief talk at the grave, and the mourners recite the Fatiha. The niche is sealed, the mourners toss three handfuls of dirt onto the grave, and the procession departs. They may stop and recite the Fatiha once again after 40 steps to aid the deceased who is already being cross-examined by the angels Munkar and Nakir (see Chapter 5).

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