Islamic Funeral

The three components of a Janazah

The cemetery should be completely Muslim or at least has a Muslim section.

In Islamic customs a person would not be buried in a casket. Some US cemeteries require a person to be buried in a casket, ask the funeral director what the ruling in your state is.

The State of New Jersey requires a person to be buried in casket. 

Note: The Janazah prayer is performed differently than daily prayers that Muslim men & women perform daily.

In the Janazah prayer there is no bending (Ruku position, nor prostrations (Sujùd position).

1. Must be a Muslim.
2. Have Wudth- Ablution made before prayer.
3. Standing facing the East.
4. Four Takbirs- saying "Allah u-Akbar{God is Great}" while "Allah u Akbar" hands are raised.
5. Placing left hand on top of your chest area, then right hand over the left hand.
6. Turn to right or left and give Salaams "{As Salassm Alaikum}".

1st Takbeer:

The Imam (Religious Leader): Raises his hands and verbally says "Allah u-Akbar {Allah is Great}.

Then silently recite Surah Al Fatiha {Noble Quran 1: 1-7}.

Congregation: Silently say "Allah u-Akbar."

Then silently recite Dua (Prayer) for the deceased.

4th Takbeer:

The Imam (Religious Leader): Says "Allah u-Akbar" Loudly.

Silently pray for yourself and the community.

Then says loudly: "As Salaalmu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah" and turn the head to the right or the left.

Congregation: Silently say "Allah u- Akbar"

Then say "As Salaalmu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah" and turn the head to the right or the left.

Its very important that you know the order of Wudu. Wudu should be performed one after another, memorize the steps so that you can follow them.

Quietly to yourself make niyyah, (intention) to perform wudu and say "Bismillah" {In the Name of Allah} before starting wudu.

1. Wash your hands. Use your left hand to wash your right hand. Do this three times. After that, use your right hand to wash your left hand three times.

   2. Take water into your mouth. Use your right hand to cup water into your mouth three times. Swish it around            in your cheeks.

   3. Inhale water into your nose. Use your right hand to cup water and inhale it into your nose and blow out              three times.

   4. Wash your face. Wash your face three times by spreading your hands from your right ear to the left, and            from the hairline to the chin.

   5. Wash your lower arms from wrists to elbows. The entire arm should be wet, leaving no dry parts.

   6. Clean your head. This is known as "maseh". Using your wet hands, gently wipe the entire head once, from       the forehead to the back of the head.

   7. One at a time, wipe your ears inside and out. Use your thumb to clean behind your ears from the                       bottom upward.

   8. Wash both of your feet. Clean up to the ankles and be sure water goes between the toes.