For a Muslim, death is not an end but a return to the One who created us. Islam gives the family clear, simple steps to care for the one who has passed, and surrounds them with the support of the whole community. If you have lost someone, may Allah (﷾) have mercy on them and bring you comfort.
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَٰبَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌۭ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيْهِ رَٰجِعُونَ
Who say, when afflicted with calamity: "To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return":-
The last moments
Sit with the person, be gentle, and softly remind them of La ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah (﷾)), so that these may be among their last words. When they pass, close their eyes, speak only good, and make dua for them, for the Prophet (ﷺ) said the angels say amen to what is said then.
Sahih Muslim 916Sahih Muslim 920
When facing a loss, the Prophet (ﷺ) taught us to say:
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ، اللَّهُمَّ أْجُرْنِي فِي مُصِيبَتِي وَأَخْلِفْ لِي خَيْرًا مِنْهَا
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. Allahumma'jurni fi musibati wa akhlif li khayran minha
We belong to Allah and to Him we return. O Allah, reward me in my loss and give me something better in its place.
Caring for the one who has passed
The funeral is held as soon as it can be. Your local mosque or a Muslim funeral service will guide the family through each step and the paperwork.
Ghuslwashing
The body is washed gently and respectfully, an odd number of times, by family members or trained volunteers of the same sex (a husband or wife may wash their spouse, though the Hanafi school does not allow a husband to wash his late wife), keeping the body covered throughout. Many mosques have a washing room and people who help.
Kafanthe shroud
The body is wrapped in simple, clean white cloth. The Prophet (ﷺ) himself was shrouded in three plain white cotton sheets, and three sheets is the sunnah for a man. For a woman, scholars recommend five pieces of cloth, usually including a long shirt and a headscarf. Rich or poor, every Muslim leaves this world in the same simple white.
Salat al-Janazahthe funeral prayer
The community prays together for the one who has died. It is prayed standing, with no bowing or prostration, and is described below.
Dafnburial
The Prophet (ﷺ) told people to hurry with the funeral, so it is not delayed. The body is carried to the graveyard and laid in the grave on its right side, facing the qibla. Graves are kept simple.
The funeral prayer
Salat al-Janazah is prayed standing, in rows behind the imam, facing the qibla with the deceased in front. It has four takbirs (saying Allahu akbar) and no bowing or prostration, and takes only a few minutes. Everyone may join, and the Prophet (ﷺ) promised a reward like a mountain for attending the prayer, and two for staying until the burial.
Second takbir
Say Allahu akbar and send blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ), as in the sitting of every prayer.
Third takbir
Say Allahu akbar and make dua for the one who has died (below).
Fourth takbir
Say Allahu akbar, make a short dua, then end with the salam.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1333 (four takbirs)
This is how the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools pray it.
The dua the Prophet (ﷺ) made in a funeral prayer begins:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ وَوَسِّعْ مُدْخَلَهُ وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ
Allahumma-ghfir lahu warhamhu wa 'afihi wa'fu 'anhu, wa akrim nuzulahu wa wassi' mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil-ma'i wath-thalji wal-barad
O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him, keep him safe and pardon him, honour his arrival and make his resting place spacious, and wash him with water, snow and hail.
For a woman, the words for “him” become “her” (lahu becomes laha).
At the grave
When laying the body in the grave, say:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى سُنَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ
Bismillahi wa 'ala sunnati rasulillah
In the name of Allah, and following the way of the Messenger of Allah.
After the burial the Prophet (ﷺ) would stand by the grave and say: ask forgiveness for your brother, and ask Allah (﷾) to keep him firm, for he is now being questioned. So stay a little, and make dua together.
Grief and comfort
Tears are a mercy, not a weakness. When his young son Ibrahim died, the Prophet (ﷺ) wept and said that the eyes shed tears and the heart grieves, but we say only what pleases our Lord. Visit the family, bring them food, help with the practical things, and keep making dua for the one who has gone.
Mourning has a gentle limit, so that grief can heal. The Prophet (ﷺ) said a woman should not mourn anyone for more than three days, except her husband, for whom she mourns four months and ten days. During this time, the iddah (waiting period), a widow avoids perfume, jewellery and adornment, and does not remarry. Her family and community look after her through it.
“If any of you die and leave widows behind, they shall wait concerning themselves four months and ten days”
What continues to benefit them
The Prophet (ﷺ) said that when a person dies their deeds come to an end, except three: ongoing charity, knowledge that benefits others, and a righteous child who prays for them. Giving charity on their behalf and making dua for them are gifts you can keep giving.