"Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion." Quran 3:185
It is requested that Muslims become familiar with these issues at all times since death can approach anyone at any given time or place.
When a Muslim is Dying
It is recommended by the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) to do the following:
The dying person should be asked to pronounce, "Laa ilaaha illal Lah." (There is no God but Allah.) before death. The prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: "Ask your dying fellows to pronounce, "Laa ilaaha illal Lah." (There is no God but Allah.)" [Reported by Imams Muslim, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmithi, An-Nisa'I and Ibn Majah] The prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: "The one whose last words are "Laa Ilaaha Illal Lah." (There is no God but Allah) will enter Paradise." [Reported by Imams Abu Dawood]
When a Muslim has Died
When the person is confirmed dead, family members or those who are present should:
Close the eyes of the deceased
The messenger of Allah went to see Abu-Salama after he died; he found his eyes open, so the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) closed them and said: "When the soul is retrieved, the sight follows it." [Reported by Imam Muslim]
Bind the lower jaw to his head so that it does not sag
Cover the body completely with a clean sheet
The prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) upon his death was wrapped with a piece of striped cloth. [Reported by Imams Bukhari and Muslim]
Make Duaa to Allah to forgive him.
They should hasten to prepare the body for washing, shrouding and burial.
Pay his debts from his money, or if there is not enough, then from any family member, this matter is important.
The prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) said: "The believer's soul is attached to his debt until it is paid," [Reported by Imams Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and At-Tirmithi] meaning that the dead person's soul will not rest until his debt is paid.
Procedure
Preparing the dead for burial is a "Fard Kifayah" duty, meaning that if some Muslims properly carry out this duty, then other Muslims are exempt from the responsibility. Preparing the dead for burial consists of the following: Bathing the dead, wrapping the body with a shroud, praying for the dead, and burying the body. Here at the Darul Arqum Islamic Center, the Cemetery and Burial Committee will make all the necessary arrangements in consultation with the family members of the deceased.
The family members should contact Br. Yassir Obeid @ (515) 441-1918 as soon as possible to make the necessary arragements for preparing the dead for burial.
Next, the family members should call Adams Funeral Home in Ames @ (515) 232-5121 to make arrangements to pick up the deceased from the hospital and transport to Adams Funeral Home for washing and preparing the body for burial. The Adams Funeral Home address is: 502 Douglas Ave, Ames, IA
The funeral director will take the following information from the family member:
The caller's name and phone number
Name and location of deceased
Birth date and date of death
If hospice/doctor has been notified
Services provided by the Funeral Home:
Transferring the deceased from the hospital to the funeral home
Use of bathing room facilities for washing the deceased
Casket for transporting the deceased
Funeral van for one day
The ritual bathing and preparation of the body is done by Muslim Brother(s)/Sister(s) in conjunction with a funeral home. Men for the men and women for the women. It is permissible for either spouse to wash the other after death.
The funeral director and staff will take deceased to the masjid for the Janazah Prayer then to the cemetery for the burial.
Approximate cost of burial (may change) [See below]. Make check payable to Darul Arqum Islamic Center for the total cost of burial.
Source: Authentic Step by Step Illustrated Janazah Guide
