Death and Funeral

In the event of a death, the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo advises its members to contact the Mosque at (419) 874-3500 or (419) 874-3509. After business hours you can call the Imam at his residence. If you are unable to reach anybody, please call the Witzler Shank Funeral Home at (419) 874-3133 with whom the Islamic Center has make all funeral arrangements. As of the date this announcement, the costs to cover total funeral expenses including the lot is estimated to be $3,000 - $4,000.

The Quranic verse:

"Every person is going to taste death"

indicates that Muslims believe that one day each one of us will die and we will be accountable for our deeds on the Day of Judgment. Only God knows the exact time of one's death. We should, however, always be prepared to face death and we should abide by the Islamic rules that relate to death and funeral.

Prophet Muhammed (P) recommended reciting:

"There is no God except God, and Muhammed is His Messenger"

by the side of the sick or dying person. It is also encouraged to recite Surat Yasin. When a person is dead, it is advised by the Prophet Muhammed (P) to say:

"In the name of God and following the Sunnah of the Prophet of God"

Immediately after a person expires, someone nearby should close the deceased's eyes and mouth, straighten out the arms and legs and the body should be covered with a sheet.


Preparing the dead body for burial

Our Islamic Center has a unique arrangement with the funeral home that once a person dies at home or at the hospital, the body is taken to the Islamic Center, not the funeral home, for washing and shrouding purposes. Dead men are washed by men and dead women are washed by women. It is also worthy to note that a wife can wash a husband and vice versa. Burial should not be delayed and it is preferable to bury the deceased the same day.

After washing according to the Islamic rules, the body is wrapped in a shroud. This should be a medium quality white cloth, preferably cotton. The shroud consists of three pieces for men and five pieces for women.

The funeral of a Muslim must be attended by at least a few in the community.


Funeral Prayer

The bier should be set in such a way that the head of the deceased should face south and the feet north; and the face should be tilted in the direction of the Qibla, i.e., right side of the body. This positioning applies to the United States. There is no bowing (ruku) or prostration (sujood) in the funeral prayer. The prayer is offered in the standing position facing the Qibla and the dead body.

The number of rows of participants in a funeral prayer might be an odd number of rows, if possible.

One should make an intention the they are praying the funeral prayer with four takbir for the present deceased Muslim. After the first takbir, recite:
 
"Allah, Thou art Pure and Sublime along with Thine praise and laudation. The Name brings good and blessings; and Thy Greatness and Magnitude are highest. Great is Thy Praise, and there is no god but Thee."

According to other schools of thought, one can recite Surat Al-Fatiha in addition to the above.

After the second takbir, recite the Ibrahimi Dua' asking for blessings and mercy for the Prophet. This is the normal dua' recited after "Attashahhud".

After the third takbir, recite a special prayer for the deceased for their forgiveness and asking for a place in Paradise for them.

After the fourth takbir, finish the funeral prayer by saying Assalamu Alaikum to the right and then to the left.


Burial

It is a matter of great importance that a special cemetery be devoted exclusively for the use of Muslims. In the past, the Islamic Center had lots available in two sections at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park in Sylvania. These lots have all been sold and at the present time, the Islamic Center has a section of lots available in Waterville at the xxx Memorial Park. We should not waste money unnecessarily for costly coffins. While entering a graveyard, the following prayer may be recited:

"Peace be upon you, O Obedient faithfuls, the dwellers of this place. God willing, soon we shall join you. We pray to God for you and ourselves, that He may keep us safe."

The grave should be dug according to the direction of the Qibla, and the deceased should be placed in the grave with his face turned to the right facing the Qibla. The person(s) who place the deceased in the grave should say:

"In the name of God and following the Sunnah of the Prophet of God"

It is recommended that those standing around the grave, after the coffin has been lowered and before the covering has been placed, throw three handfuls of earth into the grave. Next it is recommended to pray for the dead person.


Mourning

No loss, however great, should be permitted to sour one's outlook. Endurance should be shown by the bereaved, who are recommended to praise God and say:

"We belong to Him, and to Him do we return"

Grief at the death of a relative or friend is normal. It is also formal and usual to see people weeping for the deceased, and this is allowed in Islam. What is completely forbidden is to express grief by wailing, shrieking, beating the cheeks and tearing hear or clothes.

When mourning a dead person, care must be taken to avoid phrases that contradict Islamic principles, e.g., "What will become of me now?" or "Now our supporter is gone". This implies relying on human beings instead of God.


Charity for the Repose of the Departed Soul

Give something according to your means in charity for the peace of the departed soul. But refrain from indulging in nonreligious and unauthorized practices and rituals.