The Duties and Tasks of the Angels

AUTHOR: Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan

SOURCE: His booklet: "Al-Eemaan bil-Malaa'ikah"

PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

The angels have duties. Each of them has a duty that he is entrusted with, and he does not delay in carrying it out. Rather, he executes it acting on Allaah's order and He doesn't disobey Him. Allaah says: "(Hell) Over which are angels stern and severe who do not disobey the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded."

[Surah At-Tahreem: 6]

Some of their Duties:

First: Those who take charge of the Hellfire. They are known as the Guardians of Hell, meaning, those entrusted with the Hellfire and with tormenting its inhabitants.

Second: Among them are angels that are entrusted with carrying the Throne of Allaah, as He says: "Those who carry the Throne (of Allaah) and those around it glorify the praises of their Lord and believe in Him. And they ask forgiveness for those who believe, (saying):

`Our Lord! You encompass all things in mercy and knowledge, so forgive those who repent.'" [Surah Ghaafir: 7]

And Allaah says: "And bearing the Throne of your Lord on that Day will be eight (angels)."

[Surah Al-Haaqah: 17]

The Number of Angels who will Bear the Throne:

The angels that will carry the Throne are four. Then on the Day of Judgement their number will increase to eight. The Throne of Allaah is the greatest of His creations, which will be carried on the Day of Judgement by eight angels. This shows that they are indeed mighty, since they will carry this magnificent Throne, which is the greatest and mightiest of Allaah's creations. This indicates their power and their tremendous composures.

Third: Among them are those angels entrusted with revelation. Allaah says: "He sends down the angels with the Rooh (spirit/revelation) from His Command to whomever He wills from His servants, (saying): `Warn mankind that there is no deity that has the right to be worshipped except Me, so be dutiful to Me.'" [Surah An-Nahl: 2]

The word Rooh (spirit) here means revelation. It is called Rooh because it is the revelation that brings life to the hearts, just as the rain brings life to the earth. In the same sense, it is the created Rooh (spirit) that brings life to the bodies of animals.

Rooh can also stand for the Qur'aan, as Allaah says: "And thus We have revealed to you (O

Muhammad) a Rooh (i.e. Qur'aan) from Our Command." [Surah Ash-Shooraa: 52]

Rooh here stands for the Qur'aan, since it is that which brings life to the hearts of the believers, just as the earth is brought to life by rain. Such is the case with the hearts of the believers – they are brought to life by way of the Qur'aan.

The word Rooh is also used to refer to Jibreel, who is the greatest, most honorable and virtuous of all the angels. He is the one who brought the Qur'aan down from Allaah to Muhammad, as Allaah says: "The trustworthy spirit (Jibreel) brought it (i.e. the Qur'aan) down – to your heart (O Muhammad) in order that you may be from the warners – in a plain Arabic language." [Surah Ash-Shu'araa: 193-195]

So Jibreel brought the Qur'aan down to the heart of the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), and he in turn conveyed it to his ummah. In another ayah, Allaah says: "Say: The holy spirit (Jibreel) brought it down from your Lord." [Surah An-Nahl: 102]

This is referring to the angel Jibreel – he is the holy spirit.

The Attributes of Jibreel:

Allaah has described Jibreel with great characteristics, as He says: "So verily, I swear by the planets that recede (disappear during the day and appear at night). And by the planets that move swiftly and hide themselves. And by the night as it departs. And by the dawn as it brightens. Verily, this is the Word (brought by) an honorable messenger (i.e. angel) – Possessing power and a high rank with the Lord of the Throne. Obeyed (by the angels), trustworthy there (in the heavens)." [Surah At-Takweer: 15-21]

The First Attribute: Power: Allaah says: "Possessing power and a high rank with the Lord of the Throne." [Surah At-Takweer: 20] The "Lord of the Throne" here refers to Allaah.

The Second Attribute: Position: Allaah says: "Possessing power and a high rank with the Lord of the Throne." [Surah At-Takweer: 20] This means that he possesses a high position in the sight of Allaah, which no one else has reached.

The Third Attribute: Obedience: All of the angels obey Jibreel by the Permission of Allaah.

The Fourth Attribute: Trustworthiness: This refers to the revelation, such that he doesn't make additions or subtractions to it, but rather, He conveys it just the way that Allaah has revealed it to him.

The Prophet Muhammad's Seeing Jibreel:

Allaah says: "And your companion is not insane." [Surah At-Takweer: 22] This is what the disbelievers claimed about him (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). "And indeed he

(Muhammad) saw him (Jibreel) in the clear horizon)." [Surah At-Takweer: 23] Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) saw Jibreel on the horizon twice.

The First Time: This was in the valley of Makkah. The Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) lifted his head and saw him in the sky and he had 600 wings. Each one of his wings blocked the horizon.

The Second Time: Allaah says: "And indeed he (Muhammad) saw him (Jibreel) at a second descent – near the lote-tree of the utmost boundary." [Surah An-Najm: 13-14] This occurred during the night in which the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) ascended to the heaven and saw him in his natural state.

These are the attributes of Jibreel. Allaah says: "Verily, this is the Word (brought by) an honorable messenger (i.e. angel)." [Surah At-Takweer: 19]

This means: Even though the Qur'aan is the Speech of Allaah, it is ascribed to Jibreel here, since he is the one who conveyed it to Muhammad. So he is conveying from Allaah, for he dictated it to our messenger, Muhammad, conveying it from Allaah. However, it is the Speech of Allaah. Speech is only attributed to the one who states it originally, not to the one who says it conveying it from someone else. However, the Speech of Allaah has been attributed to Jibreel here from the perspective of his conveying it.

Fourth: There are angels entrusted with other duties: 1. Mikaa'eel: He is responsible for the raindrops that fall down from the sky. He moves them around and causes the rain to descend wherever Allaah commands.

2. Israafeel is responsible for blowing on the Trumpet. This will be at the time when Allaah wants to resurrect the creatures from their graves. The bodies will be brought forth from the graves and reassembled. Then the only thing remaining (to be integrated) will be the soul. It is at this point that Israafeel will blow on this horn, due to Allaah's Command, and the souls will float to their respective bodies, which had come out and risen from their graves. Then they will walk to where Allaah orders them to go. Allaah says: "The Day when they will come out of the graves quickly as if they were racing to a goal." [Surah Al-

Ma'aarij: 43]

And Allaah says: "They will come forth with humbled eyes from (their) graves as if they were locusts spread about. Hastening towards the caller, the disbelievers will say: `This is a hard day.'" [Surah Al-Qamar: 7-8]

These are the three angles that are responsible for life. Jibreel is responsible for bringing the revelation, which brings life into the hearts. And Mikaa'eel is responsible for the raindrops, which bring life to the earth after its death. Israafeel is responsible for blowing on the trumpet, which will bring life to the bodies (on the Day of Resurrection). This is why when the Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) would get up for prayer at night, after saying the opening Takbeer, he (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) would say in his opening

supplication: "O Allaah! Lord of Jibreel, Mikaa'eel and Israafeel, Originator of the heavens and the earth…"

These are the greatest angels due to the magnitude of their duties.

Fifth: There are also angels that are put in charge of the fetuses in the mothers' wombs.

This has been reported in the hadeeth of Ibn Mas'ood (radyAllaahu 'anhu), in which he

said: "The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) narrated to us – and he is the truthful one who is believed – saying: `Verily the creation of each of one of you is brought together in his mother's womb for forty days in the form of a seed, then he is a clot of blood for a like period, then a morsel of flesh for a like period. Then the angel is sent to him and commanded with four matters – to write down his means of livelihood, his life span, his actions, and whether he will be happy or unhappy.'" Allaah sends this angel to him to carry out this great important task.

Sixth: There are angels that are in charge of taking the souls when their prescribed time is over. There is the Angel of Death (Malak-ul-Mawt) about whom Allaah says: "Say: `The Angel of Death, who is set over you, will take your souls.'" [Surah As-Sajdah: 11]

The Angel of Death has assistants that will aid him, as Allaah says: "Until when death approaches one of you, Our messengers (i.e. the Angel of Death and his assistants) take his soul, and they never neglect their duty. Then they are returned to Allaah, their Master, the Just Lord." [Surah Al-An'aam: 61-62] So taking the soul at the time of death is ascribed to the angels, to the Angel of Death and also to Allaah.

"It is Allaah who takes away the souls at the time of their death." [Surah Az-Zumar: 42] Death is ascribed to Allaah here because He is the One who orders it to occur. It is ascribed to the angels because they are the ones who physically carry that out by gathering the soul and leading it out of the human's body until it reaches his throat. And it is also ascribed to the Angel of Death - "Say: `The Angel of Death, who is set over you, will take your souls'" – because he is the one in charge of seizing the souls after they have been rounded up in the last stage (of death).

Seventh: There are also angels in charge of recording the deeds of the son of Aadam (i.e.

humans), as occurs in the hadeeth: "You are constantly being frequented (in successive

shifts) by angels at night and angels during the day." Allaah says: "And verily, there are guardians (i.e. angels recording your deeds) over you – Honorable, recording (your deeds).

They know all that you do." [Surah Al-Infitaar: 10-12]

Every human being has two angels with him:

Every human amongst us has two angels that are responsible over him – an angel on his right side recording his good deeds and another on his left side recording his bad deeds.

Allaah says: "When the two receivers receive (i.e. record his deeds) from his right side and his left side, sitting. Not a word does he utter, except that there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)." [Surah Qaaf: 17-18]

These guardian angels accompany a human being whether he is on a journey or sitting at home – they are next to him at all times under all conditions – during his prayer, while he is prostrating, etc. – they accompany him and do not leave him alone except under specific circumstances, such as when the person is relieving himself (in the bathroom). So these angels record his statements and his actions.

The angels record People's Intentions and Objectives:

It has been related that the angels also record a person's intentions and inner objectives, which are located in the heart. Whatever he intends to do, they record it. This is why a person is rewarded for having good intention, since it is an action of the heart, while he is punished for evil intentions, since the intention is an action of the heart.

These angels are put in charge of recording a person's deeds from the time that he reaches the age of puberty – the age of discernment – to the time when Allaah takes his soul in death. And they record against him everything that he does in his life – whether that is in the form of intentions, actions, statements, or other than that.

The Status of the Fajr and `Asr Prayers amidst the Other Prayers:

The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "You are constantly being frequented (in successive shifts) by angels at night and angels during the day. And they gather together during the `Asr Prayer and during the Fajr Prayer." This is why these two prayers are the greatest of all prayers. Allaah says: "Verily, the recitation of the Qur'aan in the early dawn (i.e. Fajr Prayer) is witnessed (by the angels)." [Surah Al-Israa: 78] He is referring here to the Fajr Prayer, which the angels of the night and the angels of the day attend. They gather together to witness the Fajr prayer along with the Muslims and listen to the Qur'aan that is recited in prayer. They also gather together during the `Asr Prayer, where Allaah asks them, even though He is most knowledgeable of the answer: "In what state did you leave My servants?" The angels reply, saying: "We came to them while they were praying and we left them while they were praying." This means that they descended while we were praying `Asr and they attended the prayer along with us. And then they rose back up (to the

heavens) while we were praying Fajr.

Due to this, it has been determined that the `Asr Prayer is the "Middle Prayer" that Allaah has encouraged us about, where He says: "Guard strictly the (five daily) prayers, especially the middle prayer (i.e. `Asr)." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 238] He means by this the `Asr prayer since that is the prayer that the (guardian) angels of the night and the angels of the day attend.

A Call to those who fall short:

So where are those who hold back from attending the Fajr Prayer, sleeping (instead) in their beds and not witnessing this great event every night with the angels of the Most Merciful? This is such that these angels inform about these attendees (of the Fajr Prayer) while in the most highest of gatherings, saying: "We came to them while they were praying and we left them while they were praying."

What benefit has this person who refrains from going to the Fajr Prayer and instead prefers sleep gained from his actions? And what benefit has this person who misses out on attending the `Asr Prayer, due to laziness, preferring sleep or some other deed, gained from his actions?

It is stated in the hadeeth that: "Whoever misses the `Asr Prayer, it is as if he lost his family and wealth." And in another hadeeth it states: "…then he has nullified his actions."

This means that he has taken the prayer out of its proper time. So if he takes it out of its proper time, he has missed it.

Eight: There are also angels that are responsible for protecting humans from perils. A human being is prone to walk into dangers everyday. However, Allaah entrusts angels that guard and protect him from these dangers during his lifetime, which Allaah has ordained for him. This earth, which a human being walks upon everyday, contains many dangers.

There are wild beasts, snakes, scorpions, not to mention transgressors from among humans – enemies and oppressors. However, Allaah has placed these angels around the human being. Allaah says: "He has those (angels) who constantly surround him – from before him and behind him, protecting him by the Command of Allaah." [Surah Ar-Ra'ad:

11]

Therefore, so long as Allaah has decreed that this individual will be safe from harms, these angels will protect and guard him, and no human will be able to harm him. But if Allaah desires to bring an end to his appointed time, He removes them from him – one from before him and one from behind him.

"Verily, Allaah will not change the condition of a people until they (first) change the condition of themselves. And when Allaah desires a bad end for a people, there is no turning it back." [Surah Ar-Ra'ad: 11] So if Allaah's Divine Pre-Decree comes to pass and He desires to put an end to this person, the angels that constantly surround him withdraw themselves from him because they do not refrain from carrying out Allaah's Command.

These are the angels that constantly surround a person.

Ninth: There are also angels that have responsibilities in this universe that only Allaah has knowledge of. There are angels that are put in charge of the seas and angels put in charge of the days. There are angels responsible for the winds and angels put in charge of carrying out many other duties.

All of the events that occur in the universe and which constantly transpire within it on a daily basis are only by Allaah's decreeing that. As for the angels, they carry out whatever tasks Allaah orders them to execute.

 

 

The Angels and their Attributes

AUTHOR: Shaikh Saalih bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan

SOURCE: The Introduction to his booklet: "Al-Eemaan bil-Malaa'ikah)

PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

All praise is for Allaah, Lord of all that exists, and may the peace and blessings be upon our prophet, Muhammad, as well as upon his family and all of his Companions. To
proceed:

Indeed, Eemaan (Faith) is a great matter, since it is the foundation upon which success in this life and the next rests on. So it is one of the most important levels of the Religion, for when the angel, Jibreel, came to the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) in the presence of his Companions, he asked him about Islaam, Eemaan, and Ihsaan, saying: "O Muhammad! Inform me about Islaam." The Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) replied: "Islaam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; to establish the prayer; to give the Zakaat; to fast in Ramadaan; and to perform the Hajj to the House (Ka'bah) if you are able to." So he explained Islaam as being the implementation of these five pillars:

(1) The two testimonies of Faith;

(2) Establishing the Prayer;

(3) Giving the Zakaat;

(4) Fasting in Ramadaan;

(5) Pilgrimage to the Ka'bah.

So the angel Jibreel told him: "You have spoken the truth. Now inform me about Eemaan." The Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "It is to believe in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in Al-Qadar – the good of it and the bad of it." So he (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) explained that Eemaan was to believe in these six things: Belief in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, His Messengers, the Last Day and Al-Qadar – the good of it and the bad of it.

Jibreel continued: "Inform me about Ihsaan." So the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam)

responded: "Ihsaan is to worship Allaah as if you see Him. But if you don't see Him, then verily, He sees you." So he (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) clarified that Ihsaan consists of one pillar, which is to worship Allaah as if you see Him. But if you don't see Him, then verily, He sees you.

These are the three levels of the Religion: Islaam, then Eemaan, then Ihsaan. Each one of these levels has its own set of pillars.

A pillar is the part upon which something stands on. So the pillar of a house refers to the part upon which that house is established. So Eemaan (Faith) rests upon six of these pillars. If one of these pillars is missing, a person is no longer a believer, possessing Faith, since he lacks one of the pillars of Eemaan.

Therefore, Eemaan cannot be established except upon its pillars, just like a building cannot be established except upon its pillars. These six pillars (of Eemaan) are mentioned in the noble Qur'aan. Sometimes they are mentioned altogether and other times they are mentioned separately, as Allaah says: "But rather piety (birr) is he who believes in Allaah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book and the Prophets." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 177] Allaah mentions five of the pillars of Eemaan in this ayah.

And He says: "The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what was revealed to him from his Lord and (so do) the believers – all of them believe in Allaah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. We do not differentiate between any of His Messengers." [Surah Al-

Baqarah: 285]

He mentions four of these pillars here. And sometimes, He just mentions two of these
pillars: Belief in Allaah and the Last Day, as He says: "Verily, those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians and Sabians – whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day."

[Surah Al-Baqarah: 62]

He mentions two pillars in this ayah: Belief in Allaah and the last Day.

As for belief in Al-Qadar (Divine Pre-Decree), then that is mentioned in His statement:

"Verily, We created everything with Qadar (Divine Pre-Decree)." [Surah Al-Qamar: 49]

And in His saying: "He has created everything, and assigned its Decree to it." [Surah Al-

Furqaan: 2]

The Meaning of Belief in the Angels:

The subject, which we are focusing on now, is the Belief in the Angels, which is one of the pillars of Eemaan. What Belief in the Angels entails is: Believing in their existence and believing in the duties that they carry out in the universe.

So the angels are one of Allaah's creations, which He created for the purpose of worshipping Him and carrying out His orders in the universe. Allaah sends His angels in order to execute His Commands. So they are a creation from the world of the Unseen. We don't see them, yet we believe in them with a firm resolution that doubt cannot penetrate.

This is since Allaah has informed us about them, and likewise, His Messenger (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) has informed us about them in such a definitive manner that causes us to believe in them.

What were the Angels created From?

The Angels were created from light, as is reported in a hadeeth that Allaah created the angels from light and He created the devils from fire and He created the humans from dirt.

So the angels were created from light.

The Attributes of the Angels:

The angels are one of Allaah's creations from the world of the Unseen. No one knows how many in number they are, their manner of being or their natures except for Allaah.

From their Attributes:

First: They are the greatest of Allaah's armies. Allaah says: "And to Allaah belongs the armies of the heavens and the earth." [Surah Al-Fat'h: 4] And whilst talking about the guardians of the Hellfire, He mentioned: "Over it are nineteen (angels)." [Surah Al-

Mudaththir: 30] And He says: "And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Hellfire, and We have not made their number (i.e. 19) except as a trial for those who disbelieve." [Surah Al-Mudaththir: 31]

So this means that there are nineteen angels guarding the Hellfire – they maintain it, guard it, kindle it and are entrusted with its affairs.

When one of the disbelievers heard of the number of angels that are guarding the Hellfire, he said, as if to mock their amount: "I will suffice you over them" – meaning if he enters the Hellfire, he will confront them, overpower them and get out of the Hellfire. He said this in order to mock and ridicule, so Allaah refuted them by saying: "And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Hellfire." [Surah Al-Mudaththir: 31] This means they will not be from among the humans.

So if this person claims that he is strong and that he is able to fight against a number of humans, he will not be able to fight against even one of the angels. Allaah says: "And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Hellfire." [Surah Al-Mudaththir: 31] This

means: "We did not make them humans or jinn."

"And We have not made their number (i.e. 19) except as a trial for those who disbelieve, in order that the people of the Scripture may arrive at a certainty and the believers may increase in Faith, and so that no doubts may be left for the people of the Scripture and the believers, and so that those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) and the disbelievers may say: `What did Allaah intend by this example.'" [Surah Al-Mudaththir: 31]

So they lie and seek to belittle this number. How can this great Hellfire, which contains all of these creatures, only be maintained by nineteen? Allaah says: "And We have not made their number (i.e. 19) except as a trial for those who disbelieve." [Surah Al-Mudaththir: 31]

So no one knows the greatness of the angels and no one knows what Allaah has with Him from armies in the heavens and the earth except for Allaah. Neither these disbelievers nor anyone else knows.

Second: The angels have great physical composure, as Allaah mentioned this about them in His saying: "All praise is for Allaah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth – who made the angels messengers with wings – two or three or four." [Surah Faatir: 1]

This means that there are some angels that have two wings, some that have three and some that have four. And there are some angels that have more wings than that, for the Prophet (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) saw the angel Jibreel and he had 600 wings – each wing blocking the horizon. This is just one of the many angels that exist. Allaah described him as being mighty in power, as He says: "He (Muhammad) has been taught (this Qur'aan) by one mighty in power." [Surah An-Najm: 5] He is referring to Jibreel. "Free from any defect, then he rose (and became stable)." [Surah An-Najm: 6] This means that he possesses strength and a beautiful appearance.

Third: The angels possess great power, by Allaah's permission. What indicates their great strength is that if Allaah commands just one of them, then indeed he is able to let out an awful cry in the world, thus destroying the creation, as occurred with the people of Thamood, who were seized by a loud scream. Jibreel unleashed one powerful scream upon

them: "Verily, We sent against them a single sayhah (awful cry), and they became like the dry straw of fences." [Surah Al-Qamar: 31]

So their hearts ceased to function within their bodies and as a result they died and became like dry straw. It was from the custom of the Arabs that when they would settle in a place, they would gather sticks of wood and make fences to surround their sheep and cattle.

These fences would eventually dry up and become pieces of straw. So in spite of Thamood's power and might, they became like dried-up straws as a result of one loud cry from one of the angels.

Allaah also commanded Jibreel to raise up the towns of the people of Loot – and they were seven cities in which could be found humans, buildings, goods and animals. He carried them on one side of his wing and raised these cities until the (other) angels heard the barking of dogs and the crowing of roosters. Then he overturned them and Allaah caused the earth to swallow them up.

This is an example of the mighty power of the angels.

There is also the angel Israafeel, the angel that is entrusted with blowing the Trumpet.

What is meant by the Trumpet is a horn that will gather the souls of the son of Aadam (i.e.

humans), from the first of them to the last of them. Then Israafeel will blow one time on the Trumpet, and the souls will fly about due to this blow of the horn, going back to their bodies. This is known as the Blow of Resurrection (Nafkhat-ul-Ba'ath). Prior to this, he will strike the Blow of Destruction (Nafkhat-us-Sa'aq), so everyone that is in the heavens and in the earth will die except for he whom Allaah wills. Allaah says: "And the trumpet will be blown and all who are in the heavens and in the earth will swoon away except for he whom Allaah wills." [Surah Az-Zumar: 68]

Swooning away means to die. Then he will blow on the Trumpet again, which is known as the Blow of Resurrection, "and behold, they will be standing, looking." [Surah Az-Zumar:

68]

This is just one of Allaah's angels, and this is just one of his duties, which Allaah has ordered him to carry out. So therefore, the angels are one of Allaah's great creations. He created them so that they may worship Him and carry out His commands. Allaah says:

"Rather, they are honorable slaves. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command. He knows what is before them and what is after them. and they cannot intercede except for him with whom He is pleased. And they stand in awe for fear of Him."

[Surah Al-Anbiyaa: 26-28]

This is a description of the angels.

Published: June 20, 2005 | Modified: June 20, 2005

 

 

Preparation of the Deceased and Janazah Prayers

Preparation of the Deceased and Janazah Prayers

I. Body-Washing or "Ghusl"

II. Wrapping (Kafan)

III. Prayers (Salat)

IV. Funeral

V. Burial

References (all in Arabic)

There are five main points for the preparation of a Muslim's body
for burial; we present briefly the procedure involved in each of
them:

I. Body-Washing or "Ghusl"

Washing the deceased's body is obligatory on Muslims; it is a
Fard Kifaya, i.e., if some members take the responsibility of doing
it the need is fulfilled, but if no one fulfills it then all Muslims
will be accountable.

Washing can be carried out in the following way:

1. A man's body should be washed by men and a women's by women,
but a child's body may be washed by either sex. A husband can wash
his wife's body and vice-versa if the need arises.

2. Only one person is needed for washing with someone to help him.

3. It is better to choose for this the person who knows best how
to perform ghusl.

4. Place the body on a high place, e.g., a table or something similar.

5. Remove the deceased's clothes (garments) leaving the private
parts covered.

6. Press the stomach gently and clean whatever comes out.

7. For washing, use a piece of cloth or your hands.

8. Only clean water may be used; add some scented oils (non-alcoholic)
in the final wash. It is preferable to use warm water.

9. Perform ablution (wudu) for the body, cleaning the teeth and
nose from outside only.

10. Wash three times, but if the body is not yet cleaned, continue
washing five or seven times - it must be odd numbers.

Turn the body on its left side and begin washing the right side.
Then turn it on its right side to wash the left side. This is done
in each wash. The first and the second washes are done with water
and soap, while the last one with water and scent.

11. Hair should be unbraided, washed and combed. For women it may
again be braided in three braids.

12. Dry the body with a clean cloth or towel.

13. Add some perfume on the head, forehead, nose, hands, knees,
eyes, armpits, and place perfumed cotton on the front and rear openings.

II. Wrapping (Kafan)

1. It must be a clean piece of cloth (preferably white) to cover
the whole body.

2. Add some perfume to the kafan (non-alcoholic).

3. Do not use silk cloth for men.

4. Use three pieces for men and five for women, [but each one must
cover the whole body.]

5. Tie the front and the rear with a piece of cloth (from the same
kafan) in such a way that one can differentiate the head from the
legs.

III. Prayers (Salat)

1. It is better that those praying divide themselves into three
rows facing the qibla with the Imam in front.

2. Put the body (or bodies) in front of the Imam.

3. The Imam should stand by the middle of the body if the deceased
is a man and by the shoulder if she is a woman.

4. If there is more than one body, then they should be put one
in front of the other, those of the men nearest to the Imam and
those of the women furthest from him.

5. Having the appropriate neeyat (intention) in your heart, raise
your hands in the usual manner and say, Allahu Akbar.

6. Then fold and hold your hands on your breast in the usual manner,
the right hand on the left.

7. Read al Fatiha quietly.

8. Say Allahu Akbar without raising the hands.

9. Pray for the Prophet in the same way as you do in tashahud.

10. Say Allahu Akbar (don't raise your hands).

11. Make du'a for the deceased. (du'a
here).

12. Say Allahu Akbar (don't raise your hands).

13. Make du'a for the Muslims.

14. Say Assalaamu 'Alaikum, thus finishing the prayer.

It is clear from this description that all this prayer is done
while one is standing - there is no ruku or sujud in it.

Du'a for the deceased may be chosen from the following authentic
prophetic du'as:

IV. Funeral

1. Procession: Mourners should walk in front or beside the bier.
Those who are riding or driving should follow it.

2. Silence is recommended.

3. It is absolutely forbidden to accompany the body with music
or crying (wailing)

V. Burial

1. The grave should be deep, wide and well made. It is recommended
that it consist of two excavations, one inside the other. It is
recommended that the smaller one called lahd be dug on the side
of the larger one facing the qibla.

2. It is in this one that the body is put.

3. The deceased's body should he laid on the ground with the face
toward the qibla, the direction of the ka'aba.

4. While laying it say

5. It is not recommended to use a casket unless there is a need
for it, e.g., if the soil is very loose or wet. A stone, or bricks
or some soil should he put under the deceased's head to raise it
up.

6. Do not use a pillow or put anything with the deceased inside
the grave.

7. Cover the lahd with bricks so that they become like a roof for
it. Pour three handfuls of soil.

8. Fill the larger pit with soil. It is preferable that each one
of those present share in this by pouring three handfuls of soil.
Raise the level of the grave a little less than one foot in a sloping
way.

References (all in Arabic)

1. Al Fiqh'Al Madhahib Al Arba'a, Abdul Rahman Al Jazeeri,
1970, pp.500-535.

2. Fiqhul Sunnah, Vol.4, Sayed Sabiq, 1968, pp. 69-138.

3. Sifat Salatul Nabi, 5th Edition, Mohammad Nasirul Deen,
Al Albani, 1389 P. pp.125.

4. Riyadhul Saliheen, pp.360-373, Cairo Edition.

 

 

Authentic Step by Step Illustrated Janazah Guide Compiled By Mohamed Ebrahim Siala ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First all praise is due to Allah; we praise Allah and seek Allah's help and forgiveness. Without Allah's guidance and help nothing can be achieved. Behind every endeavor there are some individuals who make it possible. This compilation is no exception. My sincere thanks and appreciation goes to all brothers and sisters of the Salman Al - Farisi Islamic Center. To mention some of those who helped : Br. Sheik Aqeel Al - Maqtary, Br. Sheik Magdy Wardah, Br. Awad Elgarguri, Sr. Huda (Christine Dodge), Br. Mansour Al - Mutairi, Br. Ghassan Al - Soraihi, Br. Umar Gunderson, Br. Abdennour Moussaoui, Br Abdulsalam saif, Br Ali Al-Shomrani and many others. They gave their time, and knowledge, time after time, to review, correct, draw, and add, they were always willing to offer their assistance. I ask Allah to accept our efforts, overlook our shortcomings and cover us all with His Mercy in this world and in the hereafter. CONTENTS Introduction. 3 A) Death. 5 1) When a Muslim is at the point of Death. 9 2) Just after Death has been determined. 10 B) Mourning the dead. 11 C) Al-Ghusul (Washing the body of a dead Muslim). 12 D) Al-Kafan (Shrouding the body of a dead Muslim). 14 1) Kafan of a male. 14 2) Kafan of a female. 16 E) Salatul Janazah (Funeral prayer). 18 F) Following the Janazah. 22 G) Al-Dafan (The Burial). 23 H) Special cases. 27 1) Miscarried fetus. 28 2) Children. 28 3) Martyr. 28 I) Condolences. 29 J) The Edda (Waiting period) for Muslim widows. 30 K) Rewards after death. 32 L) Visiting the Cemetery. 33 M) References. 35 INTRODUCTION In the name of Allah Most Merciful Most Gracious All praise is due to Allah; we praise Allah and seek Allah's help and forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Allah, Most High, from the evils of our own selves. Whomsoever has been guided by Allah, none can misguide him, and whomsoever is misguided, no one can guide him except Allah. And I bear witness that there is no god worthy of being worshipped except Allah Al Mighty, alone, without partner or associate. I further bear witness that Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is his true worshipper and messenger, may Allah the exalted bestow His peace and blessings upon him. Allah says in the Quran "O you who believe! Fear Allah as Allah should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam " (Quran 3:102). "O mankind ! Be grateful to your lord, Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate, and from them both Allah created many men and women, and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual rights and do not cut relations of Kinship. Surely Allah is ever a watcher over you "(Quran 4:1). "O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah, and speak always the truth. Allah will direct you to do good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His messenger, he verily has got a great success " (Quran 33:70-71). Know then that the most truthful book is that of Allah (The Quran) and that the best guidance is that of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). As Muslims, we all must submit to the will and commandments of Allah. Those commandments are in the Quran, the word of Allah, and in the Sunnah, the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), and whatever his companions said or did of which he did not disapprove. Allah in the Quran says : " We have explained in detail in this Quran, for the benefit of Mankind, every kind of similitude "(Quran 18:54), "And we have sent down to you the Book explaining all things: a guide, a mercy, and glad tidings " (Quran 16:89). The Sunnah is the secondary source of Islamic law, it is the Prophet's sayings, actions, and what his companions did to which he showed no objection. Allah in the Quran says that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) does not speak from himself, but is inspired by Allah : "Nor does he say ought of his own desire and wishes; it is just inspiration sent down to him " (Quran 53: 3-5). Muslims are ordered in the Quran to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (P.B.U.H), this means to obey and practice the commands of the Prophet. Allah in the Quran says : " Whatever the Prophet ordered you to do, you should do, and whatever he forbids you, you should reject "(Quran 59: 7), " The sayings of the faithful believers when they are called to Allah ( His Words { the Quran } and His Messenger ) to judge between them is only that they say: " We hear and we obey," And such are the successful. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, fears Allah and keeps his duty (To Him), such ! They are the successful " (Quran 24: 51-52). " But no, by your lord, they can have no (Real) faith, until they make you (Muhammad) a judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction " (Quran 4:65). After the death of the Prophet, his companions gave sharp attention to preserving the Sunnah of the Prophet. Each one tried to find out what the Prophet did or said in certain situations, and then recorded it. Later many scholars spent their lives investigating those who transmitted the Sunnah; they compiled the authentic Hadiths. Among these scholars are Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim; both wrote books that contain only authentic Hadiths. The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in many authentic Hadiths showed us in great detail how and what to say and do in our everyday lives. Allah's last revelation states that Islam is the perfect religion: "Today I have perfected your religion for you, bestowed my favor upon you and chosen for you Islam as your religion " (Quran 5:3). Thus it is fitting for us as Muslims to follow the perfect guidance of Allah and His messenger through the Quran and the Sunnah. But unfortunately, people listen to this and that, see the non-Muslim's ways of doing things and then copy it and it becomes the norm . The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) predicted this by saying :" You would copy the same path as was done by those before you inch by inch and step by step so that if they had entered into the hole of a Dhab (a desert lizard) you will enter too." They ( The Prophet companions ) asked him: " You mean Jews and Christians by your words' Those before you' ?." He said: " Who else (than those two religious groups) " (Bukhari and Muslim). Some Muslims say : " In our country we do things this way and that way, so it must be the right way ", others say : " We think this way is much better than the other way ". So as long as the tendency remains among the Muslims in taking blind bride in following their ancestry or tribal heritage or culture or nationality, and as long as Muslims are hardly bothered to learn and take their practices from the pure knowledge, the Quran and the authentic Sunnah, more confusion, and more divisions will continue to hammer the body of the Muslim Ummah. The message of Islam covers all aspects of life, commanding all things that will benefit a person in this life and the hereafter. This includes caring for this person when he dies by making dua' for him, washing and shrouding his body, performing Salatul Janazah for him ( Where people pray and ask Allah to forgive him and have mercy on him ), then putting him in the grave. The caring extends to his family too, by comforting his relatives, sharing with them their sorrow, and offering them condolences, sympathy and support. Hoping to fill the need for a simplified Janazah guide to all Muslims, I have followed the method described in the authentic Hadiths, explanatory step by step notes and several illustrated drawings. I have also included an introduction on importance of following the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), and an explanation of scholars' ruling on issues which should be known by every Muslim. A) DEATH This topic is very important, as each and every one of us will experience it one day and that is : Death. Almost every day we hear of the death of someone, yet most people ignore the fact that one day they will die too, they go on with their life as if nothing has happened feeling that their time has not yet come for them to die. Allah says in the Quran: " Everyone shall taste death. And only on the day of resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the fire and admitted to paradise, this person is indeed successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception:" (Quran 3:185), " Every soul shall have the taste of death " (Quran 29:57). In an authentic Hadith Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Remember the destroyer of pleasures-death, for not a day passes upon the grave except it says ‘ I am the house of remoteness; I am the house of loneliness; I am the house of soil; I am the house of worms' " ( Authentic-Thermithi). The knowledge of the reality of death helps people understand it and prepare themselves for its coming. Death is simply a transition state from one world to another, as birth is. No one knows when and where he will die or knows how. In this respect Allah says in the Quran in Surat (Chapter) Luqman: " Nor does anyone know what it is that he will earn tomorrow: Nor does anyone know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and Allah is acquainted with all things " (Quran 31: 34). Islam is the only religion that explains death in full detail, how it happens, and what Muslims should do before, during, and after the death of a Muslim. Allah has assigned angels responsible for taking our souls out of our bodies. In the Quran Allah mentioned the Archangel name "Angel of Death". Allah says in the Quran : " Say The Angel of Death put in charge of you, will (Duly) take your souls, then you shall be brought back to your Lord " (Quran 32:11). Death involves agony and hardship as mentioned in an authentic Hadith : " When Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was dying, he put his hands in a large cup of water which was close to him and wipe his face with it, saying : ‘O Allah help me over the hardship and agony of death '"( Authentic -Termithi). For the faithful BELIEVERS Allah says in the Quran: " Those who have said ‘Our Lord is Allah', and then have become upright, the angels will descend upon them saying ‘ Do not fear nor be sad, but receive good news of the paradise which you have been promised. We are your protectors in this life and in the hereafter: therein you shall have all that you desire; therein you shall have all that you ask for "(Quran 41:30-31). Allah also says : " When the angels take the lives of the righteous, the angels say to them : ‘ Salaamun Alikum, enter paradise, because of the good deeds that you used to do (during your life) ' " (Quran 6:32). For the UNBELIEVERS, Allah says in the Quran : " If only you could see when the angels take the souls of those who disbelieved, striking their faces and their backs, and saying :‘ Taste the punishment of the fire. That is for what your own hands have put forth ( Of evil deeds )' " (Quran 8:50-51). Allah also says :" If you only could see when the transgressors are going through the agonies of death, and the angels stretching forth their hands saying ‘Deliver your souls; this day you shall be recompensed the torment of degradation because of what you use to utter against Allah other than the truth, and you used to reject Allah's signs with disrespect' " (Quran 6:93). The grave is the first station of the stations of the hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: "When the deceased is placed in his grave and when his friends depart and leave him, he hears their footsteps, then two angels will make him sit and ask him : What did you say about this man ( Muhammad (P.B.U.H) ) ? The Believer will say: I bear witness that he was the servant and Messenger of Allah.. They (The two Angeles) will say to the deceased: Look to your place in Hell. Allah has substituted it with a place in paradise. They see it all together. However, the unbeliever or the hypocrite, will be asked about Muhammad (P.B.U.H). He will say:' I don't know! I used to say what people used to say'. The two angels say to him:‘ How come you did not know and you did not read about him'. Then they beat him heavily with a metal hammer.This causes him to scream painfully and all his surroundings will hear him except human beings and Jinns." (Bukhari and Muslim). Another authentic Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmed states that the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said two or three times: " Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave,' then he said :‘ When a believer is about to leave this world, angels with bright faces like the sun come down to him from heaven with a shroud from the shrouds of paradise and some of the perfume of paradise and sit away from him as far as the eye can see. Then the angel of death comes and sits at his head and says:' O good soul, come out to forgiveness and acceptance from Allah'. The soul then comes out gently as a drop flows from a water - faucet and he seizes it. Then the other angels take the soul from the angel of death and shroud it with the shroud from paradise, perfume with the perfume of paradise; its fragrance will be like that of the sweetest musk found on the face of the earth. They then take the sweet-smelling soul up, and whenever they pass by a group of Angeles, they ask :‘ Who is this good soul ?' The angels, accompanying the soul, reply using the best of his names that people used to call him by during his life:‘ So and so, the son of so and so.' When they reach the first heaven they request permission to enter, and the gates will open to them. The same is done in the following heavens until they reach the seventh heaven, and Allah says :‘ Record the book of my slave in the highest place and take him back to earth, for I created mankind from it, into it they shall return, and from it shall be brought another time.' The soul returns to the body, and two angels come to him, make him sit and ask him: ‘ Who is your Lord ?' He replies:‘ My Lord is Allah. They ask:‘ What is your religion ?' and he replies:‘ My religion is Islam'. They ask again:‘ Who is this man who was sent among you ?' He replies:‘ He is Allah's messenger'. They ask :' What is your knowledge ?' He replies:' I read the book of Allah, believed in it and declared it to be true.' . Then it will be said:‘ My slave has spoken the truth, so spread out carpets from paradise for him, cloth him from paradise, and open a gate for him into paradise'. Then some of its joy and fragrance come to him, his grave is made spacious for him as far as he can see, a man with a glorious face, beautiful garments and sweet perfume comes to him and says:' Rejoice in what pleases you for this is your day which you have been promised'.. He asks:' Who are you, for your appearance brings goodness ?'. The man replies:' I am your good deeds.' He then says: ‘ O Allah, bring the hour, so that I may return to my family and property.'. But when a non-believer is about to leave this world, angels with ugly faces come down to him from heaven with a hard and rough cloth, and sit away from him as far as the eye can see. Then the angel of death comes and sits at his head and says:‘ O wicked soul, come out to anger and displeasure from Allah.' It then becomes dissipated in his body. The angel draws it out violently as a spit is drawn out from moistened wool, and he seizes it; then the other angels take the soul and put it in that rough cloth which emits a very offensive bad stench like the worst smell found on the face of the earth. They then take the foul-smlling soul up, and whenever they pass by a group of Angels, they ask :‘ Who is this wicked soul ?' The angels, accompanying the soul, reply using the worst of his names that people used to call him by during his life :‘ So and so, the son of so and so,' when they reach the first heaven they request permission to enter and the gates will not open to them. Then the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) recited this verse from the Quran : " The gates of the heaven will not be opened to them "(Quran 7:40), the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) continued saying :‘Allah then says:" Record his book in the lowest place,"' and his soul falls down to earth. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) then recited another verse from the Quran: " He who assigns partners with Allah is as if he had fallen down from heaven and been snatched up by birds, or made to fall by the wind in a place far distant " (Quran 22:31). The soul returns to the body, and two angels come to him, make him sit and ask him:' Who is your Lord ?' He replies:‘ My Lord? Oh, I do not know'. They ask:‘ What is your religion ?' and he replies:‘ My religion ! Oh, I do not know. They ask again:‘ Who is this man who was sent among you ?' He replies:‘ Oh, I do not know'. Then it will be said:‘ He has lied, so spread out carpets from hellfire for him, and open a gate for him into hellfire.' Then some of its heat and poison come to him, his grave is made so narrow for him so that his ribs are pressed together in it. A man with a horrifying face, ugly garments and offensive odor comes to him and says:‘ Be grieved with what displeases you for this is your day which you have been promised'. He asks:‘ Who are you, for your appearance brings evil ?' The man replies:‘ I am your wicked deeds.' He then says:‘ O Allah, do not bring the hour'" (Authentic-Ahmed). All of this, and the day of judgment has not yet started. So I remind myself first and I remind you as my brothers and sisters to prepare for this day; prepare for it by truly and sincerely submitting to Allah, doing good deeds according to Allah's commands in the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet. Avoid all types of wrong and evil which Allah and the Prophet asked us to avoid, but do not delay or postpone since you do not know when death will come. The following are simple step by step procedures for a Muslim funeral that explain what should be done Islamically when death occurs. 1) WHEN A MUSLIM IS AT THE POINT OF DEATH Family members of the dying person and his most pious friends should be informed and should be present at his side to help him turn his thoughts to Allah, encourage him very gently to repent, remind him about all the good deeds that he did, about Allah's mercy, and Allah's forgiveness so that he may anticipate Allah's mercy and Allah's favors. Allah in the Quran said: "And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, but those who are misguided "(Quran 15:56). Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: " Let no Muslim die except expecting and hoping the best from Allah" (Muslim). Those who are present near a dying Muslim should do the following : They should be kind and patient. They should never leave him alone. They should give him hope, not allowing him to collapse out of pain or panic. They should prompt him very gently (Encouragement without insistence) every now and then to say the Shahada: "La ilaha ella Allah", which means ‘There is no God but Allah,' in a very kind and sincere manner as these may be his last words. Abu-Saeed Al-Khuduri reported that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Help Muslims who are dying to say: ‘ La ilaha ella Allah' " (Muslim). They should make Dua' (Supplicate) to Allah to help him go through situation easy, and forgive him.  NOTE: There is no authentic proof of reading chapter (Yasin ) beside a dying Muslim. There is no authentic proof of directing the dying Muslim to the Qiblah. There is no Islamic teaching of putting the Quran under the head of a dying Muslim. There is no Islamic teaching of asking junubs( Those who did not take a shower after a sexual act), or menstruating women, to leave the room . 2) JUST AFTER DEATH HAS BEEN DETERMINED  When the person is confirmed dead, family members or those who are present should : Close the eyes of the deceased. Um Salma reported that : " When her husband died, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) closed his eyes" (Muslim). They should bind his lower jaw to his head so that it does not sag. They should cover all his body completely with a clean sheet. Aisha reported that : " Muslims covered the body of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) when he died" (Bukhari & Muslim). They should make Dua' (Supplicate) to Allah to forgive him. They should hasten to prepare the body for washing, shrouding and burial. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: " You should hasten with his burial" (Bukhari & Muslim). They should pay his debts from his money, or if there is not enough, then from any family member or any relative, this matter is important since the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) encouraged Muslims to pay the debts of the deceased. NOTE: There is no Islamic teaching of putting the Quran under the pillow of the deceased. There is no Islamic teaching of asking junubs (Those who did not take a shower after sexual act), or menstruating women to leave the room of the deceased. There is no Islamic teaching of putting flowers, candles etc., in the deceased's room. B) MOURNING THE DEAD Mourning over the dead is allowed in Islam, but there is a great difference between what is allowed Islamically and the practice of some Muslims at the present time. Grief at the death of a beloved person is normal, and weeping for the dead is allowed in Islam. What is prohibited is to express grief by wailing ( Bewailing refers to mourning in a loud voice), shrieking, beating the chest and cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, breaking things or scratching faces or saying phrases that makes a Muslim lose faith. All of this is totally prohibited, and the deceased may feel pain by these actions, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: "The deceased suffers when someone bewails loudly" (Bukhari & Muslim). Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Two things in people are Kufr ( Ignorance ), one is to ridicule someone on his family genealogy, and the other is bewailing loudly the dead " (Muslim). Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) also said : " I detest a woman who cries out very loudly, or shaves her hair, or tears her clothes when a beloved one dies " (Bukhari & Muslim). Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said :" He is not of us who beats his face, tears his clothes and bewails loudly when misfortune happens to him as was done before during the days of ignorance " (Bukhari & Muslim). Some people let their beard grow to show their sadness, then after several days they shave it. Others wear black clothes, or black ties. All of this has no basis in Islam.. It is a Muslim's duty to advise gently those who do these things to stop doing so, since it is totally prohibited. No loss, however great, should lead a Muslim to sour his faith. They should however bear patiently and accept Allah's destiny. There is no objection to quiet weeping as Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) did when his son died and said : " It is a mercy that Allah made in the hearts of his servants" (Bukhari). Relatives of a deceased Muslim may mourn him for three days only, but a widow may mourn her husband four months and ten days. This is due to Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who said : " It is prohibited for a woman who believes in Allah and the day of judgment to mourn any dead person more than three days except her husband four months and ten days " (Bukhari). This period is called the Edda (Waiting period) which is prescribed by Allah in the Quran (2 : 234).   C) AL-GHUSUL ( WASHING THE DEAD MUSLIM ) When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of his family or other Muslims to wash him according to the Islamic rites of washing the deceased. Two or three persons may perform the washing. The person(s) who may wash the deceased should : Be a trustworthy, and honest adult Muslim(s). Know the Islamic way of washing the dead and be able to carry out the washing. Not make any comment on the body of the deceased. NOTE: If the deceased is a male, then ONLY males should wash him. If the deceased is a female, then ONLY females should wash her. For a married person, the spouse may perform the washing. For a child, either males or females may do the washing. PLACE OF WASHING : The deceased's body should be washed in a clean, secluded, and private place where clean water and soap are available. Gloves or pieces of cloth are needed. The body of the deceased should be washed with water and, if available, lotus leaves, or camphor (To be used in the final wash). The washing should be done three or five, or any more odd number of times if necessary. STEPS OF WASHING : The body of the deceased should be placed on a table or alike, the deceased's clothes should be removed, and the body should be covered with a sheet of cloth. The head and the upper body should be raised slightly to insure the washing water with exudations from the body flows down and does not run back to the body. The Aura (Private parts) of the deceased should be covered with a piece of cloth (The Aura of a male is from the belly button to the knee in the presence of males, for the female is the same in the presence of females). The washer should start washing by saying:" Bismil - lah "," In the name of Allah ". The washer winds a piece of cloth around his hand, and with this he cleans away any impurities from the body using water. Then he should dispose of this piece. The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand, press lightly the stomach of the deceased so as so to expel, if possible, any remnants from it, and then wash the body of all impurities using water. Then he should dispose this piece of cloth. The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand (May use gloves), and wash the covered private parts, then dispose of this piece of cloth. The washer should perform Wudu (Ablution) on the deceased without inserting the water in the nose and in the mouth. The washer should clean the body with water and soap (If available), starting from the head (hair, face and beard {Men}), then the upper right side of the body then the left side, after that the lower right side then the lower left. In the case of a female, her hair should be loosened, washed, combed, and be braided in three braids, and placed behind her back. The washing should be done three times, or five times, or seven times, as needed, providing that after washing the head, wash the right side before the left, and the upper parts before the lower ones. In the last wash, the washer may use camphor, or some perfume with the water. After that the body should be dried with clean towel. Then the body should be totally covered with a white sheet. Get ready to start the shrouding.  SPECIAL NOTE : In case the deceased is a female in her menstrual period or have child birth bleeding, padding should be used to prevent blood from leaving the body. NOTE: It is recommended that those who performed the washing should take a bath . It is recommended that those who performed the washing should make Wudu. All of this is based on authentic Hadith that Um Atiyah narrated that: " When the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) died, he instructed us:‘ Wash her three times, or more than that if you feel it is necessary, with water and sidr(good smelling leaves), and then after the last wash apply some camphor to the body , then loosen her hair, wash it, comb it, and make it in three braids laid behind her back " (Bukhari & Muslim).  NOTE: There is no Islamic teaching of reading the Quran during the Ghusul. There is no Islamic teaching of making special dthiker (Certain words to remember Allah) during the Ghusul.  D) AL-KAFAN ( SHROUDING THE DEAD MUSLIM ) Shourding should start Just after washing the body of the deceased. It is recommended to use white sheets from inexpensive material. Extravagance is not recommended in the Kafan (Shroud). Aisha relates that : " When the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) died, he was shrouded in three white sheets from Yemen" (Bukhari & Muslim). THE KAFAN OF A MALE The Kafan of a male should consist of three white winding sheets about{7 x 7 feet}, clean and large enough to conceal the whole body, after having been perfumed with incense. Use 4 tie ropes, each 7 feet long ( Figure (1) ). The material of the sheet should not be silk, nor should any gold be used.  STEPS OF SHROUDING :  The winding sheets should be spread out one on the top of the other . The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on his back on the winding sheets. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet. If it is possible the deceased's left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer). The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. The third and the largest sheet should be treated the same way. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.

 

 

 

2.THE KAFAN OF A FEMALE The Kafan of a female should consist of five white garments, (Two winding sheet, a long loose sleeveless shirt {From shoulder to feet}, a waist wrapper, and a head veil ), these should be large enough to cover the whole body and may be perfumed with incense, a loin cloth may be used to bind the upper part of her legs, use 4 tie ropes, each one is 7 feet long ( Figure (2) ). STEPS OF SHROUDING : The garments are spread out ( First: winding sheets {7 x 7 feet}, Second: the long loose sleeveless shirt {3 1/2 x 14 feet, with a hole in the middle line for the head}, Third: waist wrapper {6 feet x 3 1/2 feet }, Fourth head veil {a 4x4 square feet white sheet}, and Fifth: the loin cloth {12 inches wide x 4 feet long} ). The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on her back on the shroud. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet. The loin cloth is bound round her upper legs (Acts like underwear). The waist wrapper is tied in place. Put on the sleeveless shirt (Long to cover the body from the shoulder to the feet) . Put the head veil. The deceased's left hand should be placed on her chest, then put her right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer). The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body. NOTE: There is no Islamic teaching of writing any thing on the shrouds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

E) SALATUL JANAZAH (THE FUNERAL) A divine service is held over the dead body of every Muslim, young or old, even of infants who have lived only a few minutes. When the soul leaves the body, preparations are made for bidding him the last farewell. It is highly recommended that, after washing and shrouding the body of the deceased, the body not to be kept long, but rather taken quickly, prayed for, and then buried. Salatul Janazah is required to be performed in congregation to request pardon for the deceased and all dead Muslims, and to wrap them all in Allah's Mercy. It is preferable that Salatul Janazah be performed outside the Mosque or the Musalla (Prayer room), like in activity rooms or courtyards. Salatul Janazah is a collective obligation. A Muslim should not hesitate to participate in it, whether or not the deceased or his relatives are known to him. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " If a Muslim dies and forty Muslims, who do not associate anything with Allah , join in the Salatul Janazah, Allah accepts their prayers for him." ( Muslim ). Salatul Janazah is said silently, except the Takbeer and Tassleem. All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah. There is a reward for attending Salatul Janazah for both the deceased and those who make the Salat according to the following Hadith. Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Who ever attends the Janazah until it is finished, will earn a Qirat, and who ever stays until the burial, will earn two Qirats. Someone asked: What does Qirat mean ? , the Prophet answered :‘It means rewards as big as great mountain" ( Bukhari & Muslim ). There are specific times when it is prohibited to perform Salatul Janazah, unless it becomes necessary, due to the condition of the body, to perform it quickly and then bury the body. This is due to the Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) who forbade us to pray, or bury our dead during these specified times (Muslim). These prohibited times are :  From sunrise until the sun is fully risen, At the zenith of the sun (the sun at meridian), until it passes the meridian, From when the sun pales before sunset until it has set.  STEPS OF SALATUL JANAZAH  It is preferable that Salatul Janazah be performed outside the Mosque / the Musalla. All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah. Muslims should form a minimum of three lines facing the Qiblah. The one who leads the Salat is the leader or his deputy, or the deceased's father. If there is only one Muslim with the Imam, he should stand behind the Imam. The body (ies) should be placed in front of the person who leads the prayer. In case there are more than one dead Muslim (Males and females), then the female(s) should be placed in the first row(s) in the direction of the Qiblah, then the male(s) in the following row(s), then the Imam.

 

 

Pomegranate

THE POMEGRANATE

Pomegranates are native of Iran and they are also found in India,
Afghanistan and Syria. The pomegranate is a highly delicious juicy
fruit. It has been used as a medicine since ancient times. Good
quality pomegranates were grown in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
and were also known in ancient Egypt. During the time of Prophet
Musa (Moses), alaihis salaam, quality pomegranates were in cultivation
throughout Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. The city of Rimmon was
well known for its quality pomegranates. (The Arabic name for pomegranate
is Rumman.) Pomegranates were introduced into Spain after the Islamic
influence reached there. They eventually made their way to England
in the thirteenth century. Later, the Spanish took this important
fruit plant to the new world, Mexico and Florida. Its cultivation
gradually spread to other countries too and now it is grown in almost
every tropical and sub-tropical climate. Presently good quality
pomegranate comes from Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Morocco
and Spain. In India, Sholapur is famous for juicy pomegranate fruit
known as Anar. In Turkey pomegranates are served during important
feasts.

An average size pomegranate has 65 calories. Its juice is easily
digestible and contains about 15% invert sugar. It is a rich source
of sodium and a good source of riboflavin, thiamin, niacin, vitamin
C, calcium and phosphorous. Pomegranates have been mentioned in
the Quran and the Hadith as follows:

It is HE Who sends down rain from the skies; with it WE produce
vegetation of all kinds: from some WE produce green (crops), out
of which WE produce grain, heaped up (at harvest); out of the date
palm and its sheaths (or spathes) (come) clusters of dates hanging
low and near: and (then there are) gardens of grapes, and olives,
and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety):
when they begin to bear fruit, feast your eyes with the fruit and
the ripeness thereof. Behold! in these things there are Signs for
people who believe. (Al-An’aam - 99)

It is HE Who produceth gardens, with trellises and without, and
dates, and tilth with produce of all kinds, and olives and pomegranates,
similar (in kind) and different (in variety): eat of their fruit
in their season, but render the dues that are proper on the day
that the harvest is gathered. But waste not by excess: for ALLAH
loveth not the wasters. (Al-An’aam - 141)

In them will be Fruits, and dates, and pomegranates: Then which
of the favors of your Lord will you deny? (Ar-Rahman - 68-69)

Anas bin Malik, radiya ALLAHu anhu, narrated that the Prophet,
salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said: "There is not a pomegranate
which does not have a pip from one of the pomegranates of the Garden
(of Jannah) in it."

Ali bin Abi Talib, radiya ALLAHu anhu, narrated that the Prophet,
salla ALLAHu alaihi wa sallam, said: "Pomegranate and its rind
strengthen digestion (stomach)."

Pomegranate is a good food and a medicine of great value. It is
a tonic for heart patients, highly efficacious in the inflammation
of the stomach and effective to check heart pain. The juice of the
fruit is an excellent cooling beverage and allays thirst. It acts
as a good medicine for both diarrhea and dysentery. For many ailments
such as colitis, anemia, jaundice, high blood pressure, piles and
arthritis, its juice is an effective medicine. When given with honey,
it reduces biliousness. Pomegranate fruit is also prescribed in
many disorders under the Homeopathic medicine system.

The decoction of the root bark of pomegranate, which contains an
alkaloid pellatrierine and tannic acid, is a highly useful medicine
for the expulsion of worms, including tapeworms. This decoction
is also reported to be effective for tuberculosis.

The rind of the pomegranate fruit is greatly responsible for its
good keeping quality. The fruit can be kept for up to six months.
The rind also contains a high percentage of tannic acid and is sometimes
used for tanning leather. Pomegranate rinds

were once used to tan the well-known Moroccan and Spanish leather.

According to Unani medicine, the ideal time to eat pomegranate
is after lunch. Take out the seeds, sprinkle with a little salt
and black pepper and swallow the juice after chewing the seeds.
This way of eating is beneficial in chronic constipation and indigestion.
It also soothes the nerves and stimulates the liver. Authorities
of Unani medicine also maintain that persons doing tedious mental
work should eat the fruit in the late afternoon. Another way of
using the fruit advantageously is to press out the juice, add a
little sugar and drink it. This produces blood, promotes good health
and refreshes the brain.

Pomegranate is useful for the following ailments and conditions:

Anal Itching

Itching in the anal region is often the result of parasites in the
intestines that go to the anal area to lay their eggs causing local
itching. Roast the skin of the pomegranate until it is dark brown
and brittle. Crush the powder to a fine texture; mix with a little
edible oil and apply over the anus.

 

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Bad Vision or Weakening Eyesight Fill fresh sweet
pomegranate juice in a small bottle; leave in the sun. The juice
will thicken in a few days. This is excellent for the eyes. Apply
in the eyes. The more mature the juice becomes the more effective
it is.

 

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Bleeding Piles Pound about ten grams of the skin
of the sour variety of the fruit. Boil in about 250 ml water. Sweeten
with sugar and drink in the morning and evening.

 

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Diarrhea The skin of the fruit is valuable in the
treatment of diarrhea. About 20 grams of the skin and 3 grams of
cloves or cinnamon should be boiled well in about 250 ml of water.
When cool, the patient should drink 30 to 40 ml of the liquid three
times a day for a few days.

 

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Digestive and Kidney Disorders, Poor Appetite, and
Diminished Sexual Power Pour about one and half liters of the juice
in a bowl until the sediments settle. Separate the juice from the
sediments and sieve through a clean cloth. Pour in a bottle so that
it fills it to two thirds. Add 250 grams of candy sugar and ten
grams of ground fennel. Leave in the sun for a week but shake it
a number of times daily. Take 30 - 100 grams once a day.

 

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Earache Mix a little honey with a teaspoon of the
juice of the fruit. Warm the mixture and administer two to three
drops into the affected ear. The ache should disappear.

 

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Hoarseness or Loss of Voice Boil about 20 grams of
the skin and two to three grams of alum in 250 ml water. Use the
liquid for gargling.

 

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Intestinal Worms The root-bark of the pomegranate
tree is highly toxic to intestinal worms. Boil the bark of a two-inch
long root in a cup of water. Half a cup of the decoction should
be given three times a day at intervals of two hours to an adult.
Two hours after the last dose he should be given castor oil to purge
the system. The dose for children is 1/3 of the adult.

 

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Poor Appetite and Digestive Disorders Make regular
use of the pure juice of the fruit in the case of poor appetite.
The juice is also good in simple colitis in which the colon is inflamed,
characterised by diarrhea; and mucous colitis in which the mucous
membrane of the colon is inflamed, characterised by colicky pain,
and constipation or diarrhea. The juice is an excellent remedy in
dysentery, inflammation and ulceration of the lower part of the
colon, characterised by pain and diarrhea with bloody stools and
mucus. For nausea and morning sickness characterised by excessive
secretion of bile, a tablespoon of the fresh juice mixed with an
equal quantity of honey, is an effective remedy.

 

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Stomach-ache Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on
the fresh seeds and eat.

 

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Teeth and Gum Disorders Regular use of the toothpowder
of the rind helps in preventing and curing tooth decay and gum disease.
It cleans the teeth, leaving them sparkling white. To make the powder,
dry the rind in the sun until it is brittle. Powder, mix with a
little fine black pepper and store in a jar. Use everyday with a
toothbrush, or apply and rub with a finger.

 

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