Death is inevitable, and most religions and cultures perceive death differently. Muslims believe in Allah, who is God, and his messenger is the prophet Mohammed. They also believe in other prophets like Jesus (Issa) and Adam, although they acknowledge that only Allah is to be worshipped. Differences exist between people according to their culture, religion, and ethnicity. When it comes to death also, people perceive it differently and have their own beliefs surrounding it (Alladin, 2015). This essay will discuss the Islamic culture of the past and present beliefs and rituals on the Islam perception of death and dying.
In Islam, care of the dying person has become more challenging, unlike in the past, due to modern hospitals, especially for hospice care, which is perceived as Western culture. Nevertheless, they have been embracing it since the primary objective of hospice care is to handle ill patients and relatives in accordance with their religious beliefs and culture (Choong, 2015).In relation to this, articles have been published to guide healthcare care providers on how to take care of their Muslim patients to reduce disputes on patient care and to enhance good communication between patients, family, and members of the hospice team (Life Matters Media 2015)
Muslims do not believe in repentance and intercession on a patient’s deathbed, unlike in Christianity, especially for people who are known to commit sin and engage in evil deeds continuously. They believe the forgiveness of God is for those who sin without evil intentions (Bauer-wu et al.,2007). This has been their belief since time immemorial and has not changed even in modern life.
Suicide is strictly forbidden, and Islam argues that God is the author of life, and He alone has the right to take it away; no individual has the right to take their own life, and in doing so, the individual will be engaging in sin and may not receive a proper burial and will be denied entry into paradise. However, their death may be mourned, but family and friends should strive to remember the life of the individual rather than focus on how they died and offer prayers to seek Allah’s mercy for their forgiveness. Notably, suicide has not been common in Islamic culture.
Islamic culture also believes that death is a right of passage from the earthly life to another life which is eternal (Haji 2014). The loved one of a dying Muslim encourages them to confess and recite their faith by saying that there exists no other God but Allah. Upon repeating these words, the individual is required to ask for forgiveness for any wrongdoings, for the Quran says that executing the rights of humans is more of a priority than fulfilling those of God (Bauer-wu et al., 2007).In modern life, with the presence of hospitals, if a Muslim passes on, the team of medics is expected to call Muslim pastoral services available to do the last rituals (Life Matters Media et al.,2015). Muslim teachings regarding death prohibit euthanasia (Ayuba, 2016). Moreover, prolonging life by the use of supportive machines is also not acceptable when the quality of life of a terminally ill patient is poor.
Additionally, they do not allow postmortem examination because it is believed that the corpse belongs to God and is sacred. However, it can only be done if it is demanded by law. Dissecting the body for anatomy research and learning is not allowed, and it is religiously a requirement that the body be buried within twenty-four hours before decaying begins.
Immediately after death, legs are straightened, arms and toes attached and bid together with a thread, the face is turned facing northeast, clothes removed by an individual of the same gender, mouth and eyes are closed, and the body covered with the right measurements of a sheet (Bjordal 2013).After these the body undergoes washing by experienced Muslim elders and this is done on a wooden board while the body is undressed (Baur-nu Barret and Yeager 2007).Unlike in the past, the people charged with this responsibility today get immunization and use protective gears like gloves to protect them against infectious diseases.
After washing the body is sprayed with specific perfumes (Hussein 2015) covered with a white cloth, and in most instances the deceased prepares the cloth to be wrapped with white alive. The body is taken to the mosque for the last prayer then taken to the grave for burial. In the grave the body is laid facing Mecca then covered with stones followed by sand and dust. Bereavement period last for three days and during this time, prayers are recited continuously, plain and simple clothes are worn with no jewelry and makeup.
In conclusion, death and dying in Islam culture of the past and present have Same beliefs and practices across all Muslim communities and familiarizing with these rituals goes a long way in improving healthcare in institutions, improving communication and reducing conflicts between patients, relatives and medical teams.
References
Assous, A. B. (2013). Cultural and Islamic values in relation with death. European Scientific Journal, 9(5).
Ross, H. M. (2001). Islamic tradition at the end of life. Medsurg Nursing, 10(2), 83.
Bahadur, P. (2020). Rituals and beliefs surrounding death in Islam. Journal of Adventist Mission Studies, 16(1), 173-192. Bahadur, P. (2020). Rituals and beliefs surrounding death in Islam. Journal of Adventist Mission Studies, 16(1), 173-192.
Azhar, S. (2020). Islamic Processes for Managing Grief, Loss and Death. Working with Grief and Traumatic Loss: Theory, Practice, Personal Reflection, and Self-Care, (ed.) A. Redcay and E. Counselman Carpenter (San Diego: Cognella Publishing), 188-197.
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