The Islamic faith doesn't allow coffins or burial caskets. Instead, those burying the body will place stones or wood at the bottom of the grave to prevent the body from contacting the soil and gently lay their loved one on top with their right side facing the qibla.
For a Muslim burial, the grave should be perpendicular to Mecca, with the deceased's body positioned so their right side faces the Islamic holy city. As the body is lowered into the grave, the congregation say a prayer. Wood or stones are laid down to prevent the body touching the dirt.
There is rarely an open casket at an Islamic funeral. The funeral is typically held outside the mosque, in a location such as a prayer room, community square, or courtyard, where members of the community may gather. The body and all attendees are all turned to face Mecca, which is the holy center of Islam.
The rule in Islamic law is that every dead body should be buried in an individual grave.
Muslim tradition to bury without the coffin comes from an interpretation from the Koran, the Muslim holy book, which says “From the earth We created you, and into it We will return you, and from it We will extract you another time.”
Cremation is considered by Islam to be “haram,” or an unclean practice. Muslims are forbidden to take part in the act of cremation in any way, including witnessing the event or even stating approval of it. In Islam, funeral rites are prescribed by the divine law. Burying the dead is the method prescribed.
Of the religions on this list, Islam is probably the strongest opposed to cremation. They believe the body should be treated with equal respect before and after death. Cremation is considered a form of bodily mutilation and, therefore, an unclean practice.
But the soul lives on and may visit loved ones on the seventh and 40th days after death as well as one year later. "It kind of comes back and visits the family, visits the home, and the soul is expecting a gift, it's expecting something from the family from the loved ones," Qazwini said.
Equally the Quran says that: 'If anyone saves a life, it is as if he saves the lives of all humankind'. Thus many Muslims understand from this verse that donating one's organs is a blessed act. In 1995, the Muslim Law (Sharia) Council UK issued a fatwa, religious edict, saying organ donation is permitted.
Visitors to the grave may recite supplications and recitations recommended by scholars. Visitors are strongly advised not to step on or over a grave or sit on a grave.
It's not customary to bring gifts, flowers or donations to a Muslim funeral. During the traditional 40-day mourning period after the burial, it's appropriate to send flowers and food. Food and beverages should follow Islamic dietary restrictions.
In Islam, it is traditional to have a 40 day mourning period following a death. The period can be longer or shorter, depending upon the personal relationship one had with the deceased. While Muslims believe that the soul had judgment or trials immediately after death, families spend time in mourning for up to 40 days.
Islam. The sacred texts of Islam prefer burial on land, "so deep that its smell does not come out and the beasts of prey do not dig it out". However, if a person dies at sea and it is not possible to bring the body back to land before decay, or if burial at land becomes impossible, burial at sea is allowed.
Delaying the burial of a corpse will delay his enjoyment in Paradise and in a case where he is entitled to suffering, the angels will begin to punish him right there in the house and this could affect the living around him negatively.
In the grave, the deceased Muslim - this composite of spirit and corpse - encounters two terrifying angels, Munkar and Nakir, recognized by their bluish faces, their huge teeth and their wild hair. These angels carry out a trial to probe the soundness of a Muslim's faith.
Visiting the cemetery is accepted as an opportunity to reflect upon the life of the deceased and to contemplate the certainty of the life after death. Grieving is a natural reaction to a loss. But the expressions of that grief should be tempered with an assurance in the mercy of God and his eternal purposes.
Traditionally, dogs are considered haram, or forbidden, in Islam as they are thought of as dirty. But while conservatives advocate complete avoidance, moderates simply say Muslims should not touch the animal's mucous membranes — such as the nose or mouth — which are considered especially impure.
Muslims believe that tattooing is a sin, because it involves changing the natural creation of God, inflicting unnecessary pain in the process. Tattoos are classified as dirty things, which is prohibited in Islam.
There are no particular issues relating to blood transfusions, but although organ donation has been permitted it is a complicated issue for Muslims and will often be met with reluctance. The decision would lie with the individual and their family in consultation with their local religious leader.
Four months and ten days, that's about 130 days (give or take a leap year) or a third of a year – the time a widow is meant to mourn for her husband in Islam. For everyone else it's just three days.
Mourning. According to Sunni Islam, loved ones and relatives are to observe a three-day mourning period. Islamic mourning is observed by increased devotion, receiving visitors and condolences, and avoiding decorative clothing and jewelry in accordance with the Qur'an.
When the end nears the dying person's breath quickens, the knees become so weak that they cannot move, the nose becomes bent and temples subside. By these signs understand that the person is nearing the end.
For Muslims, male circumcision is performed for religious reasons, mainly to follow the sunnah (practice) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Moreover, there are attempts to label it as a contributor to cleanliness / personal hygiene. These are done largely to grant the practice scientific legitimacy and a moral foundation.
It is appropriate to speak well of a dead person, because this invites people to pray that God may bestow His mercy on him. It is not allowed to speak ill of the dead, because this is not only backbiting, but speaking ill of those who cannot defend themselves. This is contrary to all Islamic values.
Questionings in the grave
Nakir and Munkar prop the deceased soul upright in the grave and ask three questions: Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?