Islamic views on Death and Dying

[lilchimpmunk]

An article I found to be interesting:

Islam's Views of Death and the Afterlife
From Michele Baskin-Jones,
Your Guide to Death and Dying.
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Death in Islam
Allah said in the Qur’an, “But those who believe and do good deeds, We will admit them to gardens (Paradise) in which rivers flow, lasting in them forever...” (Qur’an, 4:57)

For those that follow the believe in the oneness of God and do good works, God has prepared an everlasting Paradise. Anyone who follows and believes this may enter Paradise - Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others. Muslims believe that this world is their one and only chance to earn this gift. Life involves preparing the soul to become worthy to pass through death, which is a transition, and progress to eternity in Paradise. Allah will judge each person according to his or her beliefs and acts during this life. Each person will be judged according to their individual situation, beliefs, and acts towards others. Those who live according to the truth and Qur’an to the best of their ability will achieve the reward of Paradise. However, Allah warns us: those who were shown the truth of Islam and rejected it, will be shown no mercy and shall face hellfire. Just as Paradise is a place of delight, Hell is a place of eternal torment. The Qur’an states, “If you could but see when they are set before the Fire (Hell) and say: ‘Would that we might return (to the world)! Then we would not reject the verses of our Lord, but we would be of the believers!’” (Qur’an, 6:27) No one will have a second chance to accept the faith. In Islam, your fate is completely contingent on what you do in this life.

Preparing the Dead:

When a Muslim is facing death, they will read the Islamic scriptures, if they are able, or will have them read to them by relative or friend. They will be reminded of the Shahadah: “There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is His Prophet and Messenger.” The dying Muslim will then repent of all earthly sin to prepare for judgment by Allah.

When a Muslim dies, his or her body is washed in a special ritual and wrapped in a clean, white, seamless cloth. In the case of a Martyr, the blood is not washed off the body, as purification is not needed. The washing ritual is usually done by a family member of the same sex and after a special prayer, the body is laid to rest in the ground, generally with the deceased’s head facing towards Mecca. Embalming of the body is not allowed in Islam, as this is a desecration. A corpse is not left alone between death and burial, it will be surrounded by loved ones praying for a safe and painless passage to the afterlife. Once the deceased has been taken to the burial site, the body is put into the ground without a coffin. The Shahadah is whispered into their ear one last time, and they are loosely covered with dirt by the attendees of the funeral.

[Guest]

An article I found to be interesting:

The washing ritual is usually done by a family member of the same sex and after a special prayer, the body is laid to rest in the ground, generally with the deceased’s head facing towards Mecca. Embalming of the body is not allowed in Islam, as this is a desecration. A corpse is not left alone between death and burial, it will be surrounded by loved ones praying for a safe and painless passage to the afterlife. Once the deceased has been taken to the burial site, the body is put into the ground without a coffin. The Shahadah is whispered into their ear one last time, and they are loosely covered with dirt by the attendees of the funeral.

May be this is done in Pakistan but not in western countries.

Salim

[lilchimpmunk]

I wasn't refering this only to Pakistan though. I know that there is a big difference between the ways we burry people here in America compared to the ways in Pakistan and the 3rd world countries.