Janazah Course by

Ustaz Ameer Al Hakeem @

Masjid Al Falah 21 September 2024

Obligations of the Living Towards the Deceased:

Washing the Body:

The body of the deceased should be washed according to Islamic guidelines.
If washing is not possible (e.g., in cases of burns or pandemics),
tayammum (dry purification) can be performed.

Shrouding:
Use a clean, white cloth to shroud the body. If white is unavailable, other
colors can be used, but avoid using patterned cloth like kain batik.
Bedsheets, blankets, or towels are acceptable alternatives.
Shrouding cloth can be obtained from places like Arab Street.

Two types of funeral prayers (Salat al-Janazah):

a. Janazah Hadir – Praying over a body physically present.
b. Janazah Ghaib – Praying for a body that is not present. This can be
done once the body has been washed.

Burying the Deceased:

The body should be buried promptly.
In some regions like Mecca, bodies may be exhumed after a period (4
months in Mecca, 15 years elsewhere) due to limited land.
Special Cases for Tayammum (Instead of Washing):
Burned bodies
Martyrs during war
Pandemic-related diseases

Verses on Death in the Quran:

Surah Al-Jumu'ah, Verse 8 - “The death you are running away from will
inevitably come to you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the seen
and unseen, and He will inform you of what you used to do.”
Surah Al-Munafiqun, Verse 11 - “But Allah never delays a soul when its
appointed time comes. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.”
Surah Al-Anbya, Verse 57 - “Every soul shall taste death, and to Us you shall
be returned. Sarwar: Every soul will experience the agony of death and to Me
you will all return.”

Signs of the Last Breath (Sakaratul Maut/Nazak):

1. Toenails turn blue, and the body becomes cold (Angel of Death pulls the soul
from the dying causing the toes & feet to get cold first).
2. Spine collapses (no curve).
3. A gurgling sound (Ghor Ghorrah) like boiling water or snoring. At this stage,
repentance is no longer accepted.
4. Heavy breathing.
5. Blood pressure drops.
What to Do During the Last Breath of a person:
1. Position the feet toward the Qibla. If this is not possible, ensure the face is
facing the Qibla.
2. Encourage the person to recite the kalimah tauhid (La ilaha illallah), by saying
the kalimah tauhid clearly into their right ear.
3. Recite Surah Yasin or Surah Ar-Rad. If you cannot recite these, read any
Surah you know or engage in dhikr.
4. Maintain a positive opinion of Allah SWT.

Additional Notes on the Last Breath of a person:

When death nears, a person may start seeing loved ones who have passed
away, this may be a deception by shaytan to mislead the dying person. It is
sunnah to offer water to the person due to the thirst they will experience at
this time.
Even if the person is in a coma, they may still be able to hear, so continue
reciting the kalimah tauhid.
Kalimah tauhid (Lailahaillallah)/ Kalimah shahadah (Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wa
ashhadu anna muhammadarrasulullah)

Etiquette When Visiting the Sick:

Keep visits short.
Do not eat with the sick unless they request it.
Make dua for them.
Do not post about their condition on social media.
Etiquette When Visiting a Deceased Person’s Home:
For a female body, unrelated men (non-mahram) should not enter the room.
It is sunnah for close relatives (mahram) to kiss the forehead of the deceased.
If a husband kisses his deceased wife, it does not break her wudu, but his wudu
is invalidated and needs to be renewed before offering janazah prayers.
It is not advisable for a husband or wife to wash their spouse’s body unless
they can do so entirely by themselves, due to aurah considerations with the
washer of the janazah.

What to Do When Death Occurs:

1. Get a doctor to certify the death. If no doctor is present at home, call a
janazah service, and they will provide a doctor.
2. If the death occurred at home and the person fell on the floor, move the body
to the bed before calling the ambulance to avoid unnecessary postmortem. This
should only be done if there are witnesses who saw the person fell.
3. Expect delays for postmortem collection (earliest at 11:30 AM Sg time).
4. Appoint one person to liaise with the janazah service to avoid any confusion
with different information.
5. The body should be buried within 12 hours to prevent decomposition.
Steps for Janazah Prayers:
1. Stand for prayer.
2. Intend (niyyah) for prayer (if unsure whether the deceased is male or female,
follow the imam's niyyah e.g I intend to solah janazah as per the imam’s
intention.).
3. Say four takbirs (including takbiratul ihram).
4. 1st takbir (Takbiratul ihram) – Recite Surah Al-Fatiha.
5. 2nd takbir – Recite Salawat upon the Prophet (SAW).
6. 3rd takbir – Make dua for the deceased (Allahuma firlahu for males or fir
laha for females).
7. 4th takbir – Say salam.
One janazah prayer is rewarded like the size of Mount Uhud.
For male janazah imam stands close to head while female imam stands close to
hip.

Etiquette for Visiting Graves:

Ensure your intentions are correct.
At a minimum, say Salam: "Assalamualaikum Ya Ahli Kubur."
Full greeting: "Peace be upon you, O dwellers of the graves. We will, God willing,
join you. I pray to Allah for safety for you and us."

What to Avoid at Gravesites:

Do not sit or step on graves.
Do not smoke or speak ill of anyone.
Avoid talking about worldly matters.
Receiving the Deceased at Home:
1. Place the body in a cool room (turn on the air conditioning if available).
2. Ask permission, remove the clothes, and cover the body with kain batik, a
blanket, or a towel.
3. Make the room smell pleasant using air diffusers & perfumes.
4. Position the pillow under the head, ensuring the stomach is higher to prevent
food from coming out through the mouth & nasal passageways.
5. Ensure the eyes and mouth are closed. If the mouth is open, close it by tying a
scarf around the head & chin.
6. Place the hands in a prayer position (right hand above the left wrist) if
possible. If not, leave them as they are.
7. For females, tuck in the kain batik and place another cloth on top, and ensure
they wear an instant tudung.

Items to keep at home (Wash First):

5 kain batik
5 bath towels
45-inch kain (3 kain kafan for male & 5 for female)

“Death will find you even if ye hide in fortresses built up strong and high.”
Surah An-Nisa 4:78