In this article we will discuss the Islamic view on the subject of death.
More specifically, we will explore beliefs and burial process in Islam.
How To Offer Condolences in Arabic.
What is the proper Dua to recite when you hear of someones death.
And dive deeper into some Quran Verses and Hadith Regarding death.
Table of Contents
Beliefs and Burial
The exact belief and customs may vary depending on the sect of Islam. There are two major divisions, Sunni and Shia.
More generally, Muslims believe that the soul continues to exist but leaves the body immediately after death. The soul is essentially the character of the being. It was shaped for better or worse depending on how the person choose to live. On the day of judgement only God will decide whether the person has qualified the right to enter Jannah (paradise) or not.
It’s also common practice to not wait any longer than is necessary to bury the body. The Janazah (burial prayer) and funeral should take place within 24 hours from the moment the person passed away.
How To Offer Condoloences In islam
This verse from the Quran 2:156 is often recited when you receive the news that someone has passed away.
Transliteration From Arabic to English – Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un
English Translation – “Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.”
Here’s excerpt from Quora forum user regarding how to say rest in peace and Arabic.
Allah Yerham means God bless or God Have mercy
Allah Yerhamo means God Bless Him or god have mercy on him
Allah Yerhamha or Allah Yerhama means God bless her or God have mercy on her
Quranic Verses On Death
And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter
(Quran 29:64)
Those who believe and guarded (against evil): they shall have good news in this world’s life and in the hereafter. (10:63-64)
“…and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.”(Qur’an Surah Anfal; 8:46)
O soul that are at rest! Return to your Lord, well-pleased (with him), well-pleasing (Him), So enter among My servants, And enter into My garden. (89:27-30)
[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.
On the day that every soul shall find present what it has done of good and what it has done of evil, it shall wish that between it and that (evil) there were a long duration of time; and Allah makes you to be cautious of (retribution from) Himself; and Allah is Compassionate to the servants. (3:30)
Resources Used To Find these Islamic Quotes on Death:
Death and It’s Hardships
Quran
Hadith on Death and Funerals
These following hadith provides a good account prophet Muhammad (pbuh) behaviors and actions during funerals. The first Hadith is from Sahih Muslim about being respectful and standing at funerals (despite religion or cultural differences of the deceased).
It is narrated on the authority of ‘Amir Ibn Rabi’a (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (pbuh) said: Whenever you see a funeral procession, stand up for that until it moves away or is lowered on the ground. (Reference : Sahih Muslim 958 a In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 95)
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Do not abuse the dead, for they have reached the result of what they have done.”
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6516 In-book reference : Book 81, Hadith 105
This is referring to backbiting or talking down to people who have passed. It servers no purpose and as a Muslim should be avoided.
“Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him.” (Source: Sahih Muslim 157, Grade: Sahih)
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Relieved or relieving. And a believer is relieved (by death)” Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6513 In-book reference : Book 81, Hadith 102
As Muslims we should not fear death. We should be accepting of it when our time has come. The next hadith highlights this theme as well.
The Prophet (pbuh) said, “None of you should wish for death because of a calamity befalling him; but if he has to wish for death, he should say: “O Allah! Keep me alive as long as life is better for me, and let me die if death is better for me.” Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5671 In-book reference : Book 75, Hadith 32
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Gabriel, peace be upon him, came to me to give the good news that anyone from my nation who dies without associating partners with Allah will enter Paradise. I said, “Even if he commits adultery and theft?” The Prophet said: Even if he commits adultery and theft. (Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 1180, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Conclusion
“There is nothing the busy man is less busied with than living.”
We often get distracted and occupied by everything around us and we forget to live in the moment. Pause. Take a second and smell the roses. We often get caught in the trap of life and forget to just live.
