Islam
The al-Barzakh
In the Islamic religion, Muslims believe that the deceased will resurrect from the grave on a certain day and will be asked question about Allah (god), Islam, and the Messenger (peace upon him). Depending on his answers will decide whether or not he will be either punished in the grave. Those who are rewarded will go to heaven - a paradise, and those who have done wrong will go to a everlasting hell. They will not be in the form of the person they were on earth. By knowing this, we can indicate that this religion does not believe in reincarnation.
“Knock, And He'll open the door
Vanish, And He'll make you shine like the sun
Fall, And He'll raise you to the heavens
Become nothing, And He'll turn you into everything.”
-Rumi
Rituals/Actions
Before they die...
As the Muslim is about to die, his loved ones will surround him in order to give comfort and continuously remind god's mercy and forgiveness. They will recite verses from the Qur'an (sacred text) and encourage the dying one to repeat the prayer and stay calm and prepared. It is required for the eyes of the deceased to be closed and the body to be covered in a clean sheet. Grief is allowed and family members start to prepare for the death both physically and mentally.
As they die...
When a Muslim is about to die any minute, they try their best to say the last words from the prohet of Allah, Muhammed:
"Allah, help me through the hardship and agony of death."
Others will reply to him by saying:
"To Allah we belong and to Allah we return."
In the Islamic tradition, it is recommended for the deceased to by buried as soon as possible, with delaying the burial for three days at the most. At first, the body is cleansed and wrapped around in white cloth. Most Muslims prefer not using a coffin but some countries such as the United Kingdom, allow them to. The bodies are buried facing Makkah, which is the holy city in Saudi Arabia, also the location where it is said that Muhammad (founder of Islam) was born. Since Muslims believe that they will physically resurrect on the Day of the Judgement, so cremation is not allowed.
Before the burial, the deceased will be taken to the "salat-l-janazah", which is a place usually held ouotside or public areas for prayers. The community will gather and open the prayer by repeating the saying "takbir. A takbir," translated as "god is great," four times at the least. the "imam," which is the leader of the prayer, will stand in front of the deceased and his back towards the crowd. Prayers will then be said silently.
"Allah, help me through the hardship and agony of death."
Others will reply to him by saying:
"To Allah we belong and to Allah we return."
In the Islamic tradition, it is recommended for the deceased to by buried as soon as possible, with delaying the burial for three days at the most. At first, the body is cleansed and wrapped around in white cloth. Most Muslims prefer not using a coffin but some countries such as the United Kingdom, allow them to. The bodies are buried facing Makkah, which is the holy city in Saudi Arabia, also the location where it is said that Muhammad (founder of Islam) was born. Since Muslims believe that they will physically resurrect on the Day of the Judgement, so cremation is not allowed.
Before the burial, the deceased will be taken to the "salat-l-janazah", which is a place usually held ouotside or public areas for prayers. The community will gather and open the prayer by repeating the saying "takbir. A takbir," translated as "god is great," four times at the least. the "imam," which is the leader of the prayer, will stand in front of the deceased and his back towards the crowd. Prayers will then be said silently.
As the deceased family relatives and friends and standing by the grave, a verse from the Suah, a chapter from the Qur'an (Islamic sacred book) will be read:
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful. All types of perfect praise belong to Allah alone, the Lord of all the worlds, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us along the straight path - the path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy favours, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray.
-Surah 1
After the verse is read, the body will will be buried in the ground as the people recite another verse from the Surah:
From the earth have We created you, and into it We shall cause you to return and from it shall We bring you forth once more.
-Surah 20:55
The graves are above ground level in order to accurately mark the position of burial, which will prevent accidents such as people stepping on them. It is extremely rare and not recommend to put, large tombstones and decorations, and flowers on the grave. Traditionally, the Muslim who has died is buried in the same location, not transported to another country.
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful. All types of perfect praise belong to Allah alone, the Lord of all the worlds, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us along the straight path - the path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy favours, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray.
-Surah 1
After the verse is read, the body will will be buried in the ground as the people recite another verse from the Surah:
From the earth have We created you, and into it We shall cause you to return and from it shall We bring you forth once more.
-Surah 20:55
The graves are above ground level in order to accurately mark the position of burial, which will prevent accidents such as people stepping on them. It is extremely rare and not recommend to put, large tombstones and decorations, and flowers on the grave. Traditionally, the Muslim who has died is buried in the same location, not transported to another country.
After the funeral, the family will gather with the visitors and eat the food the community has provided for them for usually three days.
Organ donations are allowed for Muslims because due to what the Quar'an says.
Organ donations are allowed for Muslims because due to what the Quar'an says.
Mourning
After the death of a Muslim, there is usually a three mourning period. The reason why they do this is to commit and confront each other. Fancy clothing and jewelry is avoided. If the dead Muslim has a wife, the mourning periods for her may be extended to 4 months and 10 days long. During this time period, she is not allowed to remarry, move her house, or wear decorative clothing. During this time period, everything is pushed away to second priority.
In the Islam religion, death is considered a fresh new start rather than an end.
In the Islam religion, death is considered a fresh new start rather than an end.
Symbols
A black and white lamb signifies death in the Islamic religion. This is because the ram is killed in the after to represent "Death of death."
The color black in the Islamic religion represents mourning.
Words
The Qur'an contains many verses based on death. Here are a few of them:
"And it is He Who gives life and causes death, and His is the alternation of night and day. Will you not then understand?"
-( سورة المؤمنون , Al-Mumenoon, Chapter #23, Verse #80)
"Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing)."
-( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #185)
“Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!” And if some good reaches them, they say, “This is from Allah,” but if some evil befalls them, they say, “This is from you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).” Say: “All things are from Allah,” so what is wrong with these people that they fail to understand any word?"
-( سورة النساء , An-Nisa, Chapter #4, Verse #78)
"And We shall inherit from him (at his death) all that he talks of (i.e. wealth and children which We have bestowed upon him in this world), and he shall come to Us alone."
-( سورة مريم , Maryam, Chapter #19, Verse #80)
They will never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will save them from the torment of the blazing Fire,
-( سورة الدخان , Ad-Dukhan, Chapter #44, Verse #56)
If you would like to read more verses about death from the Quar'an, click HERE.