Fardh Kifayah

When a Muslim dies, it is obligatory to make arrangements concerning the deceased’s body. There are four main stages for the preparation of a Muslim’s body for burial:

1. The bathing
2. The wrapping (shroud) or Kafan
3. The funeral prayer
4. The burial

To wash the body

Before washing, the body should be cleaned first from any najis if present. Then wash the body thoroughly with clean water. However it is best to perform wudhu’ first and then wash the head. Then wash the right side of the body followed by the left. Next wash the whole body. It is best that water is mixed with a bit of scent.

Wrapping or kafan

The whole body should be covered with at least one piece of cloth. It would be better if three pieces were used. The cloth should cover from the head to the end of the toes. For the female body, a cloth is used to cover the lower part of the body, a cloth to cover the body and a hijab to cover the head. And then the whole body is shrouded with another 2 pieces of cloth.

The funeral prayer or Salatul Jenazah

There are seven rules:

1. Intention or Niyyat
2. Standing up for those who are able
3. Saying the takbir four times
4. Reciting Al-Fatihah after any one takbir
5. Reciting salawat after the second takbir
6. Du’a for the deceased after the third takbir
7. Saying the salam

The burial

It is compulsory for the deceased to be buried in a grave that is deep and wide that can mask the smell and not be dug up by animals. The body must be buried facing the qiblat on its right side. The body must not be buried facing upwards or downwards.