Muslim graves

[glo]

Today I was walking across a cemetery, looking at and reading the grave stones.

I came across a Muslim section - something I had never seen before. There was just a few graves, positioned at a different angle to all other graves (presumably pointing towards Mecca)

It made me realise that I have never seen any Muslim graves before - despite there being quite a Muslim population in our area. I am not aware of a specific 'Muslim cemetery' ...

What are the practices for burial for Muslims?
Can bodies be incinerated, or are they buried? If so, where? Are the bodies of Muslims who have died in the UK flown 'home' (wherever that may be?)
What are the customs for burial?
Is it true that a body should be buried before sunset?

Thanks

[FBI]

What are the practices for burial for Muslims?- muslims bodies are washed then clothed with three white sheets then there is a prayer called janaza

Can bodies be incinerated, or are they buried? If so, where? Are the bodies of Muslims who have died in the UK flown 'home' (wherever that may be?)-It's haraam for bodies to incinerated as the body still feels the pain

What are the customs for burial?-After the janaza the body is taken for burial, expect if it's a shaheed then there is no janaza, dua is made for the decesed.

Is it true that a body should be buried before sunset?-It'd make sense to bury before sunset as there would be more people to attend the funeral prayer

[SUMMAYAH]

Hi Glo,

The majority of muslim burials are all the same, no matter which part of the world the person is from.

The body is bathed and a simple white shroud is used to wrap the body in.

We don't really have a planned ceromony and try to make things as prompt and simple as possible.

Many people fly the body back to their homeland, however numberous scholars of Islam disagree to that and say it is best to burry dead closest to where they passed away.

And lastly all graves of Muslims point towards the Ka'bah in Makkah.

[snakelegs]

in muslim countries, do muslims use coffins?
also, how do you feel about enbalming? (i think it's creepy)

[glo]

Hi Glo,

The majority of muslim burials are all the same, no matter which part of the world the person is from.

The body is bathed and a simple white shroud is used to wrap the body in.

We don't really have a planned ceromony and try to make things as prompt and simple as possible.

Many people fly the body back to their homeland, however numberous scholars of Islam disagree to that and say it is best to burry dead closest to where they passed away.

And lastly all graves of Muslims point towards the Ka'bah in Makkah.

So I wonder where all the Muslim graves are here in the UK?
Are there special Muslim cemeteries?
Would it be acceptable to be buried next to a Christian church (as the Muslim graves I saw were ...)?

Is it Islamic practice to visit the graves of deceased relatives?

Thanks

[Malaikah]

You might have noticed the simplicity of the graves- we don't use tombstones or stuff like that...

[glo]

You might have noticed the simplicity of the graves- we don't use tombstones or stuff like that...

The Muslim graves I saw did have gravestones.
There were not many ornaments or flowers, but then, many other graves don't have them either.

Generally speaking, they did not look greatly different from other graves - except they were laid out at a different angle and some (not all) were engraved in Arabic script. And, of course, the names on them were Islamic ones.

Peace

[Malaikah]

Oh, ok. Well, they aren't meant to have that... the most on can do is place like a stone or something to indicate that it is a grave... anything else is sinful.

We don't do coffins either... coffins are disliked and may be permissible if they are needed, for example, if their is fear that the grave might be disturbed by wild animals...

[IbnAbdulHakim]

hey Glo,

My fathers burial is in a place in UK, haighnault its called "Gardens of Peace" (MUSLIM cemetary). Each and every grave there is soo simple, the headstone must be extremely simple (if any) i prefer no headstone, and theres idhkaar leaves on the graves and the body is always burried facing makkah shrouded in simple white cloth. Its so beautiful you would think it a park and not a graveyard, but subhanAllaah, imagine the family of 10,000 muslims praying everyday with each visit for the mercy of the inhabitants of the graves.

i love islams simplicity!!!

[SUMMAYAH]

I have a graveyard at a 2 minute walk from my house. It's really big and sectioned of for graves belonging to different faiths. There's Muslim grave there, Christian graves and I think, (although I'm not too sure) Jewish graves there.
There's a drive that leads very close to the graves. My husband visits the graveyard quite often. Sometimes I happen to be with him. Although I just stay in the car and keep my veil down.
Every time i'm there, I feel a great sense of sadness. I'm reminded that this life is very short and the silly things we sometimes waste our time and energy over are going to come to an end.

[glo]

hey Glo,

My fathers burial is in a place in UK, haighnault its called "Gardens of Peace" (MUSLIM cemetary). Each and every grave there is soo simple, the headstone must be extremely simple (if any) i prefer no headstone, and theres idhkaar leaves on the graves and the body is always burried facing makkah shrouded in simple white cloth. Its so beautiful you would think it a park and not a graveyard, but subhanAllaah, imagine the family of 10,000 muslims praying everyday with each visit for the mercy of the inhabitants of the graves.

i love islams simplicity!!!

Thank you, brother.

I love simplicity, too!

Every time i'm there, I feel a great sense of sadness. I'm reminded that this life is very short and the silly things we sometimes waste our time and energy over are going to come to an end.

Thank you, sister.

Grave yards don't make me feel sad - other than making me miss my loved ones who have gone out of my earthly life.
But death itself is only a step into greater and better things to come.

Peace

[MinAhlilHadeeth]

Hi Glo

You may find this useful.

[syilla]

In islam simplicity is the most important thing...

we don't have to be rich to do a burial...The simpler the better.

this is muslim malaysian burial

[Malaikah]

^What are those white things?

[syilla]

^^usually they put name and the date of death...(but which writing actually?)

so it is easier for the relatives to come and visit

[IbnAbdulHakim]

thats what i find a bit weird, isnt it enough to know the location? I mean arent we suppose to be praying for everyone around that graveyard and not just one person. Its strange because i dont see the point of headstones and stuff in islam

[glo]

Thank you for the link, Umm 'Abdullah. It was helpful!

Non-Muslims are often buried in family graves, i.e. members of the family or couples are buried next to each other.
Does that happen in Islam?

[IbnAbdulHakim]

sometimes, i dont see anything wrong with it as long as the islamic rulings are obeyed , my grandparents were buried in the same place.

[syilla]

Asalaam alaikum... I have two questions which insha allah you will be able to answer.
1. My grandmother passed away a week ago (may Allah SWT bless her) and the discussion in the family is about what to write on the tombstone. I have read that only the name of the deceased should be on the tombstone ,but the family want to put the dates of birth and death along with a moon and star. Is this bidah?

If it is then should I say something? I am only 22 years old and the decisions will be made by my elders.

2.Is there a reason why people turn the corner of the prayer mat over once finished reading salat? I know this may sound trivial, but it is common practice and i have been unable to find a sunnah or anything relating to it.

Jazaak Allah Khair
Answer Wa Alaikum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullah,

1. I don’t see anything wrong with putting the name and the date of birth with the design of the crescent and the star on the tombstone. Some people also write verses from the Qur’an, it is better not to do that, especially if the tombstone will be placed in such a way that people may walk over it. But if it is in the standing position, then it is permissible.

source

[Emperor]

Oh, ok. Well, they aren't meant to have that... the most on can do is place like a stone or something to indicate that it is a grave... anything else is sinful.

Where in the Quran are tombstones prohibited?