What symbols, rituals, words and actions are used in islam for this rite of passage?
Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion. This means "belief in the existence of one god or in the oneness of God". The funeral rites are not in the Muslim Qur'an which is the holy book, but is in the law books. The rituals may change depending on which country they are living in and the customs of the country.
Muslims believe that when someone dies, the angel of death will come and take them depending on how the person lived and behaved in his or her life. The two angels, Munkar and Nakeer, will ask three question to the person. "Who is your lord? Who is your prophet? What is your religion?" The answers to these questions will decide whether you'll go straight to heaven or hell. If they have been a little bad, they will spend a little bit of time in hell, then go up to heaven.
The symbol above (star and crescent) is probably one of the best-known symbols to represent Islam. It is used on country flags such as Turkey and Pakistan. It is one of the Muslim symbols because it is placed on the top roof of a mosque and the star and the moon are both the creation of Allah. Both will give light in the dark, at night, and the star can also be used to help find the directions.
Muslims believe that when someone dies, the angel of death will come and take them depending on how the person lived and behaved in his or her life. The two angels, Munkar and Nakeer, will ask three question to the person. "Who is your lord? Who is your prophet? What is your religion?" The answers to these questions will decide whether you'll go straight to heaven or hell. If they have been a little bad, they will spend a little bit of time in hell, then go up to heaven.
The symbol above (star and crescent) is probably one of the best-known symbols to represent Islam. It is used on country flags such as Turkey and Pakistan. It is one of the Muslim symbols because it is placed on the top roof of a mosque and the star and the moon are both the creation of Allah. Both will give light in the dark, at night, and the star can also be used to help find the directions.
When someone dies in the Islam religion, the body is put on a stretcher ("a framework of two poles with a long piece of canvas slung between them"), as the head will be faced in the direction of the Qiblah (of the Kaaba in Mecca). This is the direction that should be faced when a Muslim prays. The eyes and mouth of the person is closed, as the legs and arms are straightened.
The body is washed three times before the funeral, followed by putting scented water on the body. Then it is wrapped up in a cloth called kafari and placed in a coffin. This part of the ritual must be held by a relative of the same gender as the person who has died.
The body is washed three times before the funeral, followed by putting scented water on the body. Then it is wrapped up in a cloth called kafari and placed in a coffin. This part of the ritual must be held by a relative of the same gender as the person who has died.
Once the dead has been washed and dressed, they are taken to the site of funeral prayers. The prayers are not held in a mosque, but often outside, in a courtyard or a public square. After all the people have gathered, the imam (prayer leader) stands in front of the dead, which should be facing away from the worshippers. There is no bowing or prostration (lying on the ground), and the entire prayer is said silently; five prayers are said.
In this religion, the dead must be buried as soon as possible after they have passed away so that you can show respect towards the body of the deceased and to avoid the need of embalming. Embalming is when you are preserving a corpse from decay, originally with spices.
When the funeral prayers are done, the corpse is taken to the cemetery to get buried. Only men are allowed accompany this part of the ritual, at the graveside. The body is laid in the grave traditionally without a coffin, unless the country has laws against it. The body must be on their right side facing Mecca. While laying the dead, the Prophet would say: "In the name of the one God and according to the ways of the Prophet of God". At the graveside, it is most unlikely that people people will bring flowers or souvenirs. It is discouraged for the people to even place tombstones or markers. Instead, they should pray for the dead and remember Allah (God).
According to the Prophet, when you place the dead in their graves, you would put three handfuls of dust in the grave. The dust is usually placed at the side of the corpse's head .
In this religion, the dead must be buried as soon as possible after they have passed away so that you can show respect towards the body of the deceased and to avoid the need of embalming. Embalming is when you are preserving a corpse from decay, originally with spices.
When the funeral prayers are done, the corpse is taken to the cemetery to get buried. Only men are allowed accompany this part of the ritual, at the graveside. The body is laid in the grave traditionally without a coffin, unless the country has laws against it. The body must be on their right side facing Mecca. While laying the dead, the Prophet would say: "In the name of the one God and according to the ways of the Prophet of God". At the graveside, it is most unlikely that people people will bring flowers or souvenirs. It is discouraged for the people to even place tombstones or markers. Instead, they should pray for the dead and remember Allah (God).
According to the Prophet, when you place the dead in their graves, you would put three handfuls of dust in the grave. The dust is usually placed at the side of the corpse's head .
The mourning period of Muslims is three days, as during that period, they receive visitors that express unfortunate sympathy for the death that has taken place. They tend to avoid decorative clothing or jewelry for the three days. Widows, which are women who have lost their husband and has no remarried, will have to have the mourning period of up to 4 months and 10 days. During this time, she is not allowed to remarry or move away from her home. Family members and relatives also visit the grave a week after, to show a sign of respect.
A black and white ram is the symbol of death and afterlife, as the lam is slain in the afterlife to represent the "Death of Death".
A black and white ram is the symbol of death and afterlife, as the lam is slain in the afterlife to represent the "Death of Death".