Muslim Festivals and Ceremonies — Page 53
Death. Man is mortal, but according to the teachings of Islam death is not the end of life. There is a life hereafter which in fact is a reflection of the present life. Therefore though we become sad at the loss of a person who is dear to us yet we do not bewail our dead. . Crying loudly over the dead, or tearing one's clothes or tormenting oneself is not the way a Muslim expresses his grief and sorrow. . When a Muslim hears the sad news of the death of a person he says:'Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi Rajioon'. Translation: 'Verily to Allah we belong and verily to Him shall we return'. Relatives and friends gather at the house of the deceased person and give comfort and solace to the bereaved family members. The Holy Prophet has instructed the Muslims to bury their dead without undue delay. The dead body is therefore washed properly, wrapped in two unsewn sheets of clean white cloth from head to foot, and carried on a bier (a coffin can also be used) to the place where funeral Prayer is to be performed. It is placed before the Imam and all those who come for the funeral service stand behind the Imam in rows as in any other Prayer Service. The rows should be an odd number. There is no bowing, sitting or prostration in this service. The Imam begins the service by raising his hands to the level of his ears and calling out Allah-o-Akbar (Allah is the. Greatest), folds his arms on his chest. Then the Imam as well as the followers recite Al Fatiha silently: بسمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ الحَمدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَلَمِينَ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ مُلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِينَ أَمِيْنَ 53