Can you view the face of the deceased in Islam?
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Can you view the face of the deceased in Islam?

The moments following a person’s death are deeply emotional and spiritually significant. One of the questions often asked in Muslim communities is whether it is permissible to view the face of the deceased. The answer is not entirely uniform, as Islamic practice on this matter varies across cultures and is subject to interpretation, though both…

Should you recite Surah Yaseen for the dying?
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Should you recite Surah Yaseen for the dying?

There are multiple hadith regarding Surah Yaseen. Though there are different opinions on their levels of authenticity, the number of hadith on Surah Yaseen are evidence for its recommendation. In particular, in an authentic hadith, the Prophet (peace be on him) recommended reciting it when someone is dying. Ma’qil ibn Yasar (may Allah be pleased…

Assisted dying: the Islamic view
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Assisted dying: the Islamic view

The impermissibility of suicide In the Quran, Allah tells us of the sacredness of human life and the inviolability of the soul. It is a core principle. Allah has explicitly forbidden taking life unjustly, and suicide is considered impermissible in all major religions. Indeed, the unlawful taking of any life is a major sin. Allah…

Why do we throw three handfuls of soil into the grave before filling it?

Why do we throw three handfuls of soil into the grave before filling it?

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) performed the funeral prayer on a deceased (Muslim) and then came to his grave and threw three handfuls of dirt at the direction of his head. (Ibn Majah)

He is reported to have recited these verses when his daughter Sayyidah Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with her) was positioned in her grave. (Musnad Ahmad)

is it permissible to bury muslims in non-muslim graveyards?
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Can Muslims be buried in non-Muslim graveyards?

t is not permissible for Muslims to bury a Muslim in the cemetery of non Muslim, because this is the practice of the people of Islam from the time of the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him and the Rightly Guided Caliphs and after them continues to separate the graves of Muslims from the graves of the non Muslims , and not to bury a Muslim with a polytheist, and this was a practical consensus Ijma’.

What can we do to benefit the deceased?
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What can we do to benefit the deceased?

What will reach the deceased in their graves? As per the well-known hadith, when someone dies three things continue to benefit them in their grave. These are charity given on their behalf, beneficial knowledge and the duas of their righteous children. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:   “When the son of Adam dies,…

Ghazali on remembering death V – carrying jewels
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Ghazali on remembering death V – carrying jewels

Acute regret Imagine you are in a dark cave filled with stones, and your friends urge you to pick up the stones and carry them back with you to the exit. You think they are foolish. Why would you want to burden yourself with heavy stones? You don’t want to waste your time and energy…

Ghazali on remembering death IV
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Ghazali on remembering death IV

True life is after death وَمَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنۡيَآ إِلَّا لَهۡوٞ وَلَعِبٞۚ وَإِنَّ ٱلدَّارَ ٱلۡأٓخِرَةَ لَهِيَ ٱلۡحَيَوَانُۚ لَوۡ كَانُواْ يَعۡلَمُونَ The present life is nothing but sport and amusement. The true life is in the abode of the Hereafter, if only they knew. [29:64] The ayah is saying that true life is not this life….

Ghazali on remembering death III – aspects of the soul
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Ghazali on remembering death III – aspects of the soul

The People of Allah are disconnected from dunya On the topic of remembering death, dhikr al mawt, Ghazali talks about the people of Allah – those with gnosis – their state, their connection with Allah and how they perceive death. Such people have deep knowledge of Allah, and devote their time in the remembrance of…

ghazali on remembering death II
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Ghazali on remembering death II -keeps life balanced

Remembering Death The tenth and final chapter of The Forty Principles of the Faith is about death. Imam Ghazali chose to end his book, which is a summary of the great tome, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, with this topic. He mentions that the previous nine principles are not all on the same level. Some of them…

What duas can I recite for the deceased?
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What duas can I recite for the deceased?

اَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِحَيِّنَا, وَمَيِّتِنَا, وَشَاهِدِنَا, وَغَائِبِنَا, وَصَغِيرِنَا, وَكَبِيرِنَا, وَذَكَرِنَا, وَأُنْثَانَا, اَللَّهُمَّ مَنْ أَحْيَيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِهِ عَلَى اَلْإِسْلَامِ, وَمَنْ تَوَفَّيْتَهُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّهُ عَلَى اَلْإِيمَانِ, اَللَّهُمَّ لَا تَحْرِمْنَا أَجْرَهُ, وَلَا تُضِلَّنَا بَعْدَهُ – رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ Allahummaghfir lihayyina wa mayatina wa shahidina wa ghaibina wa saghirina wa kabirina wa dhakarina wa unthana. Allahumma man ahyaytahu minna fa ahyihi…