Death and the funeral

Death and the funeral: the cards as text

Fiqh. Draft written with AI help: awaiting scholar review.

  1. Card 1

    A king and a pauper are wrapped in the same white cloth.

  2. Card 2

    At the moment of death

    Someone has died. Muslims who hear the news say: "To God we belong, and to Him we return." The eyes are closed, the body covered, and preparations begin quickly. The Prophet told his followers to hurry with the funeral.

  3. Card 3

    Qur'an 2:156

    ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِيبَةࣰ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيۡهِ رَٰجِعُونَ ۝١٥٦

    156 Those who, when afflicted by a calamity, say, “We belong to Allah, and to Him we will return.”

  4. Card 4

    Lesson: To God we belong, and to Him we return.

  5. Card 5

    Washing and the shroud

    Family or community members of the same sex wash the body gently, in a set order, like wudu'. It is wrapped in plain white cloth: in the Hanafi school, three sheets for a man and five for a woman. No coffin is needed.

  6. Card 6

    Lesson: A king and a pauper wear the same shroud.

  7. Card 7

    The funeral prayer and burial

    Then the community prays. The funeral prayer (janazah) is said standing, with four takbirs and no bowing or prostration. The body is buried in the earth, on its right side, facing Makkah. Mourning is three days. A widow observes four months and ten days.

  8. Card 8

    Qur'an 2:234

    وَٱلَّذِينَ يُتَوَفَّوۡنَ مِنكُمۡ وَيَذَرُونَ أَزۡوَٰجࣱا يَتَرَبَّصۡنَ بِأَنفُسِهِنَّ أَرۡبَعَةَ أَشۡهُرࣲ وَعَشۡرࣱاۖ فَإِذَا بَلَغۡنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ فِيمَا فَعَلۡنَ فِيٓ أَنفُسِهِنَّ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ خَبِيرࣰ ۝٢٣٤

    234 Those among you who pass away leaving behind widows, the widows should wait for four months and ten days [before remarrying]. When they have completed their waiting period, there is no sin on you concerning what they do for themselves in a reasonable manner. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

  9. Card 9

    Lesson: The funeral prayer has no bowing. Only standing and praying for the dead.

  10. Card 10

    Reflect: How is a Muslim placed in the grave?

    Answer: On the right side, facing Makkah. On the right side, facing Makkah.

  11. Card 11

    The end of Death and the funeral.

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