Muslim Funeral Services

The ultimate form of success in the islamic faith is the attainment of paradise where there is nearness to ALLAH (SWT).
May ALLAH (SWT) guide us all to the path of Jannah (Paradise).

VISITING THE GRAVEYARD (QABRASTAN)

Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has mentioned: “Visit the graves, for surely visiting the graves lessens, worldly love and reminds you of the hereafter.” The Qabrastaan could be visited on any day. Friday is preferred to this visit, and if possible it should be weekly visit. It has been related in a Hadith that: “Whoever will visit his parents’ grave every Friday will be granted Maghfirat and he will be recorded as an obedient son of his parents. WHAT TO READ WHEN ENTERING THE GRAVEYARD (QABRASTAN) Rasulullah (S.A.W.) has taught the Sahaabah R. A., these words as salutation to the people of the graves and pray for their forgiveness:

WHAT TO RECITE WHEN IN THE QABRASTAN?

There are many supplications that may be read at the grave side, the best being the recital of the Holy Qur’an stand facing the grave (back towards the Qibla) and recite as much of the Qur’an as possible and make Du’aa for the Maghfirat (forgiveness) of the departed. A few ways of praying for the dead, as related in the AHAADEES, are given hereafter.

Recite Surah IKHLAAS 11 times.

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ اَحَدٌ(1) اَللّٰهُ الصَّمَدُ(2) لَمْ یَلِدْ ﳔ وَ لَمْ یُوْلَدْ(3) وَ لَمْ یَكُنْ لَّهٗ كُفُوًا اَحَدٌ(4)

It is related in a Hadith that whoever visits the graveyard and recites Surah Al Ikhlas 11 times and then prays for the dead, will be rewarded as many fold as the number of dead in the graveyard. It has been reported in a Hadith that whoever visits the graveyard and recites the following chapters of Al Fatiha, Al Ikhlas and At Takathur and then prays for the dead, the people of the grave will also ask Allah for such a person’s forgiveness.

Last Steps for Janaazah when lowering Janaazah in the Qabr

All present should keep reciting:

All those present should participate to fill the QABR with at least THREE handful of soil. When throwing the FIRST handful in the grave RECITE:

After the burial the first Ruku of Surat ul Bakarah should be read at the head side of the Qabr:

and the last Ruku of Surat ul Bakarah should be read to the leg side:

Times when Janaazah Salaah could be Performed

It is MAKROOH to perform the Janaazah Salaat while the sun RISES, when it passes the meridian (Zawaal) and when it sets. Besides these THREE times, which last for a very short period, this Salaah could be performed at any time during the day or night. It could also be read after the ASR Salaat.

The Janaazah Salaah

The Janaazah Salaat is FARZE KIFAAYAH on all Muslims present. It consists of FOUR TAKBEERS, THANA, DUROOD, and a MASNOON DUA for the deceased and TWO SALAAMS. All these. are said SILENTLY by both, the Imam and Muqtadis. Just the Imam should call out the Takbeer and Salaam aloud.

There are two Farz in Janaazah Salaah

1. To stand and perform the Salaat.
2. To recite all the FOUR Takbirs.

The Masnoon Manner of Performing the Janaazah Salaah

1. The body of the Mayyit should be placed with head on the RIGHT side of the Imam, who will face the Qibla
2. The Imam should stand in line with the CHEST of the deceased whilst performing the Salaat.
3. It is MUSTAHAB to make an odd number of SAFS (rows) The Safs for Janaazah Salaah should be CLSE to one another, because there is NO Sajdah to be made.
4. After the Safs are straightened the NIYYAT should be made. The Niyyat should be made thus: I am performing this Janaazah Salaat for Allah behind this Imam. (The Salaat being a Dua for the Mayyit.) After the Niyyat the hands should be raised up to the EARS, and the Imam should say Allahu Akbar loudly, and the Muqtadis softly. Then fold them under the navel similar to all daily Salaat.
5. Then recite THANA softly:

6. The Imam will then recite the Takbeer aloud and the Muqtadi softly for the second time. The hands should NOT be raised when saying, this and all subsequent Takbirs. The Durood Ibrahim should now be read :

7. Thereafter the Takbeer should be said for the THIRD time, and the following Du’aa be recited for an adult male or female:

B. `Awf bin Malik t said that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) prayed a Janaazah and I heard him saying the following Du’aa and I memorized it.

DUA for Minors

For a child who has, not reached the age, puberty the following Du’aa should be recited after the THIRD Takbeer:

Dua for Boy

Dua for girls

8. The Imam should say the FOURTH Takbeer and thereafter recite the Salaam aloud TWICE, while turning his face first towards the RIGHT shoulder and then once again while turning his face towards the left. The Muqtadis should follow by saying the Takbeer and Salaam SOFTLY.

Late comers to the Janaazah Salaah

When a LATE COMER FEARS that if he engages himself in WUDHU, he will miss the Janaazah Salaat, then ONLY is it permissible for him to make TAYAMMUM and join the Jamaa’ah. This rule applies to the Janaazah Salaat only.

Whosoever arrives or the Janaazah Salaat after the Imam has recited ONE or more Takbirs, should wait and join the Imam when he says the next Takbeer. After the Salaam he should complete the missed Takbirs by merely saying Allahu Akbar once for every Takbeer missed. No Dua should be read. If the Imam has completed the FOURTH Takbeer then too, the late comer should join and complete all the missed Takbeer, (before the Imam says the Salaam).